FARMER'* ASSISTANT. 18f 



green and coarse; while too much will give it almost a 

 black color. When the proper degree of agitation has been 

 given to the liquor, the coloring- matter changes, on adding 

 the lime water, from a greenish to a fine purple color, which 

 is the hue most proper* 



After these operations, the curdled pulp is left undisturb- 

 ed till it settles to the bottom, when the water above is 

 drawn off, and the indigo is put into small linen bags to 

 drain; after which it is put into little square boxes or 

 moulds, and dried gradually in the shade, which finishes 

 the manufacture. 



The boiling or scalding of the plants, for obtaining the 

 coloring matter, may be performed in a wooden vat, made 

 for the purpose, by the aid of steam, in the manner now 

 commonly practised in distiling. 



Mr. Edwards^ in his history of the Westindies, a work 

 whence we derive most of the foregoing information on 

 this article, says, that although the culture and manufac- 

 ture of indigo held out great prospects of gain to those 

 embarked in it, still the business was mostly given up; 

 owing, as it would seem, to the difficulties and unhealthi- 

 ness attending the old fermenting process for obtaining the 

 coloring matter. 



It would seem, however, that the scalding process, as 

 above described, is calculated to obviate these difficulties, 

 and to render the business profitable. 



In the Westindies, it is found necessary to change the 

 ground for rearing this plant every year; as the second 

 year's crop, on the same ground, is liable to be destroyed 

 by grubs, which, when changed into winged insects, prey 

 on the leaves of the plant. 



Changing the ground for the crop is found necessary in 

 the Southern States, as the ground soon fails for the cul- 

 ture, where it bears the plant yearly. 



We have thought proper to direct the drill-culture, for 

 commiting the seeds of this plant to the earth, as being 

 much the cheapest method. 



In the Westindies, it is performed by diging trenches 

 two or three inches deep, with the hoe, droping the seeds 

 by hand, and then covering them lightly with the hoe. 



We, however, see no necessity for trenches being thus 

 made, as the beds for the seed ; but, if they are requisite, 

 they may be readily made with the scraper, described under 

 TURNIPS ; and then the seeds may be laid and covered, in 

 the bottoms of the trenches, with the drill. 



INOCULATING, OR BUD ING. This, says Forsyth, 

 is the best method of grafting most kinds of fruit, particu- 

 larly stone-fruit. 



