60 On the cultivation of the Woad Plant, 



The resources of the United States are as yet, very 

 imperfectly developed, but the rapid advances which are 

 now making in chemistry, mineralogy, botany, agricul- 

 ture, and the mechanic and fine arts, warrant the most 

 favourable anticipations of the future glory, prosperity, 

 happiness, and real independence of our Republic. 



Besides the advantages resulting from the cultivation 

 of woad, as a pigment for dying, it is indispensably ne- 

 cessary for fermenting the indigo vat For this purpose, 

 the green leaves are used or they are made into cakes, 

 balls or pelotes as described in the treatise. 



It is a notorious fact, among well taught, scientific and 

 experienced dyers, that a deep, permanent and brilliant 

 blue cannot be produced, unless the indigo vat is ferment- 

 ed with woad. 



It has long been used in France, Germany, and Hoi- 

 and, in preparing the indigo vats in the best manufacto- 

 ries of those countries, and is now used in England ; for 

 it is found impossible to imitate the justly celebrated na- 

 val blues of France without it. A more perfect fermen- 

 tation is thereby produced, and the particles of indigo 

 consequently more uniformly held in solution. The 

 colouring pigment prepared in this manner attaches it- 

 self so firmly to the fabrics, that cloths thus dyed, ap- 

 pear of a deep, uniform and beautiful blue ; the colour 

 does not rub off and never fades, by exposure to wet 

 heat or the air, but remains permanent and unchanged. 



There is no art less perfectly understood in this coun- 

 try than dying; and it has been owing exclusively to the 

 exertions of the first chymists of Europe, that it has 

 been reduced to a perfect system, and the whole pro- 

 cess conducted on known established principles. 



