[ 4'5 ] 



the thickened liquid is discharged on a stout cloth spread 

 on a platform of bamboo laths. The water percolating out 

 is pumped up again and again on the mass of soft dye until 

 the water percolates out, not indigo coloured but of a dark 

 red tint. If it takes too long, alum water or palas gum is 

 used, when the indigo is readily deposited. The cloth is then 

 folded over and pressed. The press is tightened every now 

 and again for 5 or 6 hours and afterwards gradually and gently 

 loosened, and the cake, which is about 42 x 24^ X 3^ inches 

 in dimension, exposed. This cake is then marked off into 3 or 

 34-inch square blocks and the slab on which it rests 

 removed to another room where the cutting and removal of 

 the cakes from the slab are accomplished, the cakes being 

 removed on the drying or cake house, which is a well- 

 ventilated room, protected from dry and hot winds. The 

 cakes are arranged in bamboo-shelves and turned from 

 side to side that every side may get equally dry. The 

 cakes are removed when quite dry to a sweating room 

 where walls of cakes are made and covered with blankets 

 and dry bran and the doors closed so that little air may 

 find access into the room. In about a fortnight the sweating 

 process is completed when air is let in slowly and the 

 walls of cakes uncovered by degrees, the blankets being 

 removed in 4 or 5 days. The process of sweating improves 

 the brilliancy of the dye and it gives a white skin to the 

 cakes which is highly appreciated by buyers. The whole 

 process of drying from the time the pressing of the fecula or 

 pulp takes place requires about 3 months. The cakes are 

 brushed when ready for packing and packed into cases of 

 well seasoned wood. Improvements in the manufacture of 

 indigo have been lately brought about by Mr. Christopher 



per cent, purity). As 12^ seers are now obtained with the help of the Blower, 

 it may be inferred that it is possible by proper fermentation or otherwise to 

 obtain another 2 per cent. 



