GINGER. 213 



in richer black moulds, loses considerably in 

 that operation. The land intended for the 

 cultivation of it, is first well cleansed with the 

 hoe, then slightly trenched, and planted 

 about the month of March or April. It ob- 

 tains its full height, and flowers about August 

 or September, and fades about the close of 

 the year. When the stalk is entirely wi- 

 thered, the roots are in the proper state for 

 digging. This is generally performed in 

 the month of January and February. After 

 being dug, they are picked, cleansed, and 

 gradually seethed or scalded in boiling water ; 

 they are then spread out, and exposed every 

 day to the sun till sufficiently dried ; and 

 after being divided into parcels of about one 

 hundred each, they are packed up in bags 

 for the market : this is called the black gin- 

 ger. The manner of scalding the roots is as 

 follows : a large pot or copper is fixed in the 

 field, or some convenient place, which is kept 

 full of boiling water ; the picked ginger, being 

 divided into small parcels, is laid in baskets, 

 and plunged alternately in the water, where 

 it is suffered to stay for the space of ten or 

 fifteen minutes ; it is then spread on a plat- 

 form for drying; but care is taken, during the 

 process, to change the water as soon as it 



