100. 



J V D I D O (Indignfera tiuctoi ni ) 



Was formerly cultivated at the South to a limited degree, btil 

 the introduction of cotton ;niil the groat profits which it 

 ueld-;l. and ils consequent rapid extension, drove thorn! 

 of indigo on to foreign soils. But the decline in the price of 

 cotton from large production mid the increasing consumption 

 I indigo in this country^ Together with the diminished price 

 of other southern staples, will probably again make if an oh 

 !'.! nl' agricultural attention in those states whcr 

 and climate are suited to it. We have no detailed history of 

 its cultivation in the United States, and we quote from Lou- 

 don. He says "it is one of the. most profitable crops in 

 Hindostan, because labor and land here are cheaper than any 

 where else ; and because the raising of the plant and its man- 

 ntacture may be carried on without even (he aid of a house. 

 The first step in the culture of the plant u to re.n !er the 

 ground, which should be triable and rich, perfectly free from 

 ds and dry, if naturally moist. The seeds are then sown 

 in shallow drills about a foot apart. The rainy season must 

 be chosen for sowing, otherwise, if the, seed is deposited in 

 dry soil, it heats, corrupts, and is lost. The crop being kepi 

 dear of weeds is fit for cutting in two or three months, and 

 this may be repeated in rainy seasons every six week. . The 

 plants must not be allowed to come into flower, as the lr;, 

 in that case become dry and hard, and the indigo produce 

 .f less value ; nor must they be rut in (by weather, as they 

 would not spring again. A crop generally lasts tv. 

 I'fing cut, the herb is first steeped in a vat till it has bee* 

 macerated) and has parted with ils coloring matter ; then 

 liquor is let off inlo ai>othcr, in which it undergoes the 

 ruliar process of beating, to cause the ll-cnla to separate from 

 the water. This fecuia is let off into a third vat, where it 

 remains some time, and is then strained through cloth bags, 

 and evaporated in shallow wooden boxes placed in the shade. 

 Before it is perfectly dry it is cut in small pieces of an inch 

 square ; it is then packed in barrels, or sowed up in sacks, (or 

 .-ale." 



Indigo can only be raised to advantage in our most south- 

 ern states. The soil requires to be dry, finely pulverized and 

 rich. The seed is sown early in April, in drills about 18 in- 

 ches apart, and the weeds are kept down by the hoe. It 

 should be cut with a sickle or scythe, when the lower leaves 

 begin to turn, and just before the plant is going into flower. 



