IXDIGO. 



401 



" Tliey cultivate three sorts of iudigo in Carolina, ^ hicli demand 

 the same variety of soils. First, the French or Hispaniola in- 

 digo, which striking a long tap root will only flourish in a deep 

 rich soil, and therefore, though an excellent sort, is not so much 

 cultivated in the maritiuia parts of the State, which are generally 

 sandy, but it is produced in great perfection one hundred miles 

 backwards ; it is neglected too on another account, for it hardly 

 bears a winter so sharp as that of Carolina. The second sort, 

 which is the false Gruatemala, or true Bahamas, bears the winter 

 better, is a more tall and vigorous plant, is raised in greater quan- 

 tities from the same compass of ground, is content with the worst 

 8oil in the country, and is therefore more cultivated than the first 

 soil, though ioferior in the quality of its dye. 



" The third sort is the wild indigo, which is indigenous here ; 

 this, as it is a native of the country, answers the purposes of the 

 planter best of aU, vrith regard to the hardiness of the plant, the 

 easiness of the culture, and the quantity of the produce. Of the 

 quality there is some dispute not yet settled amongst the planters 

 themselves ; nor can they distinctly tell when they are to attri- 

 bute the I'aults of their indigo to the nature of the plant, to 

 the seasons, which have much influence upon it, or to some 

 defect in the manufacture. 



" The time of plantmg the indigo is generally after the first 

 rains succeeding the vernal equinox ; the seed is sown in small 

 straight trenches, about eighteen or twenty inches asunder ; when 

 it is at its height, it is generally eighteen inches tall. It is fit 

 for cutting, if all things answer well, in the beginning of July. 



" Towards the end of August a second cutting is obtained, and 

 if they have a mild autumn, there is a third cutting at Michaelmas. 

 The indigo land must be weeded every day, the plants cleansed 

 from worms, and the plantation attended with the greatest care 

 and diligence. About twenty-five hands may manage a plantation 

 of fifty acres, and complete the manufacture of the drug, besides 

 providing their o^n necessary subsistence and that of the 

 planter's family. 



" Each acre yields, if the land be very good, 60 or 70 lbs. weight 

 of indigo, at a medium the produce is 50 lbs. This however, is 

 reckoned by many skilful planters but a very indifferent crop. 



" "When the plant is beginning to blossom it is fit for cutting, 

 and when cut great care ought to be taken to bring it to the 

 steeper without pressing or shaking it, as great part of tlie beauty 

 of the indigo depends upon the fine farina, which adheres to the 

 leaves of this plant. The apparatus for making indigo is incon- 

 siderable and not expensive, for besides a pump, the whole con- 

 sists only of vats and tubs of cypress wood, common and cheap 

 in this country. 



" The indigo, when cut, is first laid in a vat, about twelve or 

 fourteen feet long and four feet deep, to the height of about 

 fourteen inches, to macerate and digest ; then this vessel, which is 

 called the steeper, is filled with water ; the whole having laid from 



