3 16 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



at the end of two months. When it begins to 

 flower, it is cut with a sickle a few inches above 

 its roots. The ratoons, or subsequent growth from 

 the same plant, ripen in six or eight weeks. Some- 

 times four crops are obtained in one year from the 

 same roots ; but in North America and other parts 

 where the heat of the sun is less fervid, the cultivator 

 obtains but two, or perhaps only one crop. The 

 produce diminishes fast after the second cutting, and 

 therefore it is said to be absolutely necessary to 

 sow the seeds afresh every year, or every two years 

 at farthest *. 



The Arabs in Egypt however sow the seed of this 

 plant only once in seven years, and obtain two crops 

 in the yearf. The sun, which so rapidly improves 

 and invigorates the plant, propagates at the same 

 time an insect destructive to it. This is a species of 

 grub or worm, which, becoming a fly, preys on the 

 leaves arid too often disappoints the planter's expec- 

 tations, especially when the plant is grown a second 

 year upon the same land. The only known remedy 

 is to change the soil every year. This plant has not 

 only to contend against the vicissitudes of the seasons 

 and the ravages of the insect peculiar to it, but the 

 leaves, which are its most valuable part, are liable to 

 the depredations of caterpillars, myriads of which 

 sometimes attack a plantation, and devour all the 

 leaves in the short space of twenty-four hours. 



The colouring matter is obtained from the whole 

 plant. There are two modes used for its extraction 

 it is fermented, or it is scalded. The first method is 

 universally practised in South America and the West 

 Indies ; and almost wholly by the English factors in 

 the East. 



In an indigo house, where the fermenting process 



*Stedman's Surinam ; Edwards's "SYest Indies, 

 f Clarke's Travels. 



