144 
PR. C. B. PLOWRIGHT ON WOAD AS A BLUE DYE. 
Schreber’s* monograph, published in 1752, gives a very complete 
account, not only of the culture, but of the history of the subject, 
as well as copious extracts from the more important writers on 
the subject, with copies of the various proclamations, edicts, etc. 
In the appendix to this volume a German translation is given from 
Hellot’sf chapter on dyeing wool with indigo and Woad. This 
book (Hellot’s) was subsequently translated into English, anony- 
mously. J Under the “greater dye” or dyeing “colours in grain,” 
it gives the modus operandi of working a Woad or pastel vat, which 
was the best then known way of dyeing with indigo. The direc- 
tions are sufficiently quaint ; for instance, the writer begins by 
saying, “ Your copper cauldron should be placed as near as possible 
to the vat, and then iilled with pond water : if the water be not 
sufficiently putrid you put in a handful of hay. When the copper 
is full the fire should be lighted under it at three o’clock in the 
morning.” Then again, for every ball of pastel you throw in a 
full measure of “ware” (slaked lime), and sundry mysterious 
stirrings and coverings are enjoined, until the vat has “come to.” 
When the indigo is put into it, there follow more stirrings and 
additions of Ware, until the vat is ready for the “overture,” or first 
piece of stuff to be dyed. “ Towards the latter end of the week 
you dye the light blues, and on Saturday night, in order to preserve 
it ’till Monday, you garnish with a little more ware than on the 
day preceding.” On Monday morning the vat was reheated, fresh 
indigo added to replace that which had been taken out by articles 
dyed during the preceding week, while bran and lime were added 
in the proper proportions. In point of fact a Woad vat, once 
started, was kept going for many weeks or months, adding the 
indigo from time to time as required, as well as the requisite 
proportion of bran (sharps) and slaked lime (ware). The whole 
process was an exceedingly delicate one ; if the lime was deficient 
the vat became putrid, if used too freely the vat “ got the kick,” 
and did not work at all : this was also the case if the proper 
temperature was not maintained. 
* Schreber D. G. ‘ Historische physisohe und oecomonische Beschreibung 
des Waidte*.’ Halle, 1752, 4to. with plates. 
f Hellot. ‘ L’art do la teinture,’ 1750. 
X ‘ The Art of Hying Wool, Silk, and Cotton,’ 8vo. Loudon, 1789. 
