288 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



ness, the ease with which it may be cul- 

 tivated, and the quantity of its produce, 

 although it is not esteemed of the finest 

 quality. 



As this vegetable dye is in demand, from 

 the imperial robe to the peasant's stocking, 

 and forms alike the delicate white of the 

 muslin dress, and the dark blue of the gar- 

 dener's apron, we shall enter into the process 

 of making this colour, so much in request in 

 our manufactures, from the carpet to the 

 crape in wool, and in like proportion in silk, 

 flax, and hemp, following the two latter even 

 into paper. 



The apparatus for indigo works, though 

 large, are not very expensive ; the whole con- 

 sisting of a pump, vats, and tubs. As soon 

 as the plant is cut, it is put into a steeping 

 vat of about twelve feet long and four deep, 

 to the height of about fourteen inches. The 

 vessel is then filled with water, and the plants 

 left to macerate about twelve or fourteen 

 hours, when they undergo a fermentation, 

 and begin to rise and grow sensibly warm. 

 Spars of wood are then laid across, to prevent 

 the indigo from rising too much, and a mark 

 is set to denote the highest pitch of its ascent. 

 In about twenty-four hours, the fermentation 



