CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



from amongst them when it is in flower. But the sure way 

 of cultivating it, and the only one we can recommend to begin- 

 ners, is by itself in which case it may be sown in the month 

 of May or later broadcast or in rows the ground having 

 been well prepared, the surface smoothed, and the seeds, which 

 are very small, lightly covered. 



The plants are to be carefully cleansed during their growth, 

 and in July of the second year, they will be in full flower. 

 The period of pulling is when the bloom has been produced 

 the whole length of the stem, and the plants just beginning to 

 turn of a light or yellowish colour. At this time the seeds are 

 not ripe. The plants are pulled up by the roots, and set up- 

 right, generally four together, to dry. When sufficiently dried, 

 which will require a week or more, they are bound into large 

 bundles, in which state they are ready for sale or they may 

 be stacked and preserved for years without suffering injury. 

 The dye, when extracted from the stalk, must be soon use*d, 

 otherwise it will ferment and be lost. 



The produce varies greatly, according to the nature of the 

 season, varying from half a ton to two tons to the acre. It 

 sometimes yields a large profit but the demand is uncertain. 

 To save seed, select a few of the largest and healthiest plants, 

 and let them stand until the seed are perfectly ripe: they are 

 easily separated. The chief disease of weld is the mildew, to 

 which it is subject while young, and this is one reason why it 

 is very often sown with grass and grain crops. 



IV. INDIGO. 



THREE species of this plant are cultivated the Wild, (In- 

 digo fera argentea) the Guatemala (dispermea), and the 

 French (tincto ria). The first named is the hardiest plant, 

 and affords the deepest or best blue; but one of the other two 

 species is commonly preferred, as being more productive; and 

 in this the French surpasses the Guatemala in quantity, but 

 yields to it in fineness of grain and beauty of colour. 



Indigo is a tap-rooted plant will endure severe drought 

 but is unsuitable for wet lands. In the West Indies, it may be 

 raised in comparatively poor dry soils but to most advantage 

 in those that are rich. In the southern states, where its cul- 

 ture is attended to, on a limited scale however, it requires a 

 good rich deep soil. The southern parts of the United States 

 is tolerably well adapted for the culture of this plant; but it is 



