218 
CALYC1FLO 15,12. 
on a white soup plate. A quantity of lime water is now added, 
and the blue floccules are allowed to subside. The clear water 
is then drawn off by plugs placed at different heights in the 
cistern, and the sediment is drained in sieves made of horse 
hair. It is after this put into coarse linen bags, and having 
remained for some time suspended in the shade, is subjected to 
pressure in order to get rid of as much of the moisture as 
possible. Lastly the Indigo, having been converted into a stiff 
consistent mass, is cut into small squares, and allowed to dry in 
the shade. 
The 2nd method of manufacturing Indigo is known by the 
name of the scalding process. It appears to be a revival of the 
ancient Indian mode, as practised at Ambore, and described by 
Col. Martine in the third volume of the Asiatic researches. He 
there mentions, that the natives boil the plant in earthen pots 
of 18 inches diameter, till the colouring matter has been ex- 
tracted : it is then removed into larger jars, and agitated by 
means of a bamboo, until a granulation of the fecula takes place. 
A precipitant of red earth and water is then added, and the 
fecula is allowed to subside. The clear liquid is lastly drawn 
off, and the Indigo is dried in small bags suspended in the shade. 
The modern process is conducted on similar principles. 
Large coppers are about two- thirds filled with the branches of 
the Indigo, which are not to be pressed down. Cold water is 
then added to within a few inches of the brim, and the fire is 
lighted and kept up rather briskly, till the liquor acquires a 
deep green colour. During this part of the process, the mass 
must be constantly stirred, otherwise the bottom will be over- 
scalded before the surface is ready. The fire is now to be 
withdrawn, and the liquor passed through a hair-cloth into the 
beating vat, where it must, while still hot, be agitated in the 
common way for half an hour. Lime water is now to be added, 
and after standing for about two hours and a half, the superna- 
tant liquor, which is of a Madeira wine colour, is to be drawn 
off. The rest of the process is similar to that followed in pre- 
paring common fermented Indigo. 
The advantages of the scalding over the fermenting process, 
are, according to Dr Roxburgh, that: — 1. The produce is 
larger. 2. The health of the labourers is not endangered by 
the noxious effluvia, as is the case in the fermenting process. 
3. Much less agitation, and very little precipitant is neces- 
sary. 4. Tiie operation may be performed several times in 
the course of the day. 5. The Indigo dries quickly, without 
acquiring a bad smell. 6. Indigo so prepared has not the flinty 
appearance common to fermented Indigo, but in softness and 
levity is equal to Spanish JJora. 
The 3d manner of manufacturing Indigo is called the drg 
process, and is that at present followed in the large factories in 
the southern provinces of India. It is described at great length 
