192 
INDIGO. 
The method followed in Agra is this : After the 
rains in the month of June, and when the indigo is 
about a yard high, they cut it down, and put the 
plants into a vessel called a ianch , full of water. 
Here they remain for several days until the water 
has acquired a strong blue colour ; then they pass 
the liquor into another vessel, and stir it with their 
hands. When the appearance of the froth assures 
them that the mass has been sufficiently agitated, 
they pour in a certain portion of oil, so as to cover 
all the blue matter. After the indigo is fallen to 
the bottom, they draw off the water, and, collecting 
the feculum, spread it on cloths which are laid on 
sandy earth. In this manner the indigo gradually 
dries ; but while it yet retains some moisture, they 
mould it with their hands into balls, and complete 
the process by drying them in a warm place. 
This blue matter is then in a state fit for sale. 
In Hindostan they call it noti ; among the Portu- 
guese, boriga. This indigo only holds a second 
place in point of quality; that being superior which 
is collected the year after from the shoots of the 
plant ; this is named tsjerri by the Indians, and 
cabeca by the Portuguese. The third year they 
cut the plants again; but then they yield only an 
indigo of a bad quality, known by the name of 
sassala. 
The cabeca is very blue, and of a fine clear co- 
lour ; this substance, which is soft, and so light as 
to float on water, exhales with a violet fume, when 
laid on burning charcoal, and leaves but little ashes. 
