THE KED DYE-STUFFS OF IXDIA. 71 



milk-hedge 8| pints, sweet oil | lb., spring water 8| pints ; mix and follow 

 the process as before, but dry the thread in the shade the same night. 

 Then take afresh before noon next day ashes of milk-hedge 4| pints, sweet 

 oil 2 oz., spring water 5g- pints ; mix and strain, then steep the thread in 

 the strained fluid a whole day and night, remove the thread next day, and 

 expose it in the sun for four days. Then leave the thread untouched for 

 a whole month, and after the expiration of that period expose it for a day 

 or two to the sun. On the day following wash the twist in pure spring or 

 river water, and on the evening of the next day take in a vessel afresh 

 spring water 27 J pints. Pounded ali* leaves 11 pints, powder of chay- 

 root 4|- pints ; mix the whole, steep the thread in the mixture, using the 

 hands as before, and leave to soak for the night. On the following morn- 

 ing wash the thread in pure water, and leave to dry. 



The last process to be repeated afresh for the seven following evenings, 

 omitting the ali leaves after the first two days. On the eighth day in the 

 morning allow the thread in the mixture to boil — say from four to eight 

 p.m. ; then remove, and keep the thread in the vessel covered until next 

 morning, when remove the thread, and wash it in pure water, leaving it to 

 dry in the shade for a whole day. Repeat the washing and drying for the 

 four following days ; on the fifth day take afresh ashes of milk-hedge 8£ 

 pints, spring water 8£ pints, sheep's dung 8-10ths of a pound, sweet oil 

 \ lb. ; mix, steep the thread, using the hands as before, and then take it out 

 to dry. A similar course must be followed for the three succeeding days, 

 then keep it quiet one day ; on the following day wash the thread in good 

 water, and leave it to dry all next day. Then take afresh powder of chay- 

 root J lb., spring water 27J pints ; mix, steep the thread, observing the same 

 process as before ; next morning remove the thread, and wash it in good 

 water, and leave to dry, following a similar course for three days, then 

 keep the thread quiet for ten days, after which take afresh ashes of milk- 

 hedge 8^ pints, sweet oil \ lb., spring water 85 pints ; mix, steep the thread, 

 observing the same course as before, and leaving it till next day ; then dry 

 it in the shade, and follow the same process three days, then leave it for ten 

 days, after which wash in good water, and take afresh powder of chay- 

 root Jib., spring water 22 pints ; mix, steep the thread in the mixture, 

 using the hands as before, and dry in the sun next morning. Repeat the 

 same the three following days, then on the succeeding morning wash the 

 thread well in good water, and when dry it will have attained a beautiful 

 fast red colour, ready for weaving purposes." 



The celebrated red turbans of Madura are dyed with chay-root, which is 

 considered superior of its kind ; but this is probably owing to some chemical 

 effect which the water of the Vigay River has upon it, and not to any 

 peculiar excellence of the root itself. 



Chay-root is said to deteriorate rapidly in the hold of a ship, or, indeed, 

 in any dark place. Hence it has not been found to answer the expectations 

 of dyers at home, who have received it for experiment. 



* C'asan ali. Memecylon tinctormm, vide " The Technologist," ISTo. I., p. 7. 



