WELD. 213 



thin them to six or eight inches' distance every way, Often, 

 when weld succeeds grain crops, it is never either thinned, 

 weeded, or hoed, but left to itself till the plants are in full 

 blossom. 



THE CROP is TAKEN by pulling up the entire plant ; and 

 the proper period for this purpose is when the bloom has 

 been produced the whole length of the stems, and the plant* 

 are just beginning to turn of a light or yellowish color ; as 

 m the beginning or middle of July in the second year. The 

 plants are usually from one foot to two feet and a half in 

 height. It is thought by some advantageous to pull it rather 

 early, without waiting for the ripening of the seeds ; as by 

 this means there will not only be the great ost proportion of 

 dye, but the land will be left at liberty for the reception of a 

 crop of wheat or turneps ; in this case, a small part must be 

 left solely for the purpose of seed. In the execution of the 

 work, the plants are drawn up by the roots in small hand- 

 fuls ; and after each handful had been tied up with one of ths 

 stalks, they are set up in fours in an an erect position, and 

 left to dry. Sometimes, however, they become sufficiently 

 dry by turning without being set up. After they have re- 

 mained till fully dry, which is mostly effected in the course of 

 a week or two, they are bound up into larger bundles, each 

 containing sixty handfuls, and weighing fifty-six pounds, 

 Sixty of these bundles constitute a load, and in places where 

 this kind of crop is much grown, are tied up by a string made 

 for the purpose, which is sold under the title of weld-cord. 



THE PRODUCE or WELD depends much on the nature of 

 the season ; but from half a load to a load and a half per acre 

 is the quantity most commonly afforded. It is usually sold 

 to the dyers at from five or six to ten or twelve pounds the 

 load, and sometimes at considerably more. It is mostly 

 bought by persons who afterwards dispose of it to the dyers. 

 The demand for it is sometimes very little, while at others it 

 is so great as to raise the price to a high degree. It is some' 

 times gathered green and treated like woad or indigo ; but in 

 general the dried herb is used by the dyers in a state of de- 

 coction. 



THE USE OF WELD in dyeing is for giving a yellow color 

 to cotton, woollen, mohair, silk and linen. Blue cloths are 

 dipped in a decoction of it, which renders them green ; and 

 the yellow color of the paint called Dutch pink is obtained 

 from weld. To save seed, select a few of the largest and 

 healthiest plants, and leave them to ripen. The seed is easily 



