CHAP. TV.] WEST INDIES. 105 
of the weeds occasion putrefaction, by which all 
the dye is destroyed. 
To obtain a certain knowledge therefore of the 
proper degree of fermentation, has hitherto been 
the grand desideratum of the cultivator. Repeat¬ 
ed experiments for this purpose, were made some 
years ago in the island of Hispaniola, under the 
sanction and encouragement of the Chamber of 
Agriculture, and instructions (which were said to 
be practised with great success by Messrs. Dang- 
dale and Mongon, indigo planters in that island) 
were published by authority, to this effect: 
ct After the indigo has been steeped in the cis¬ 
tern eight or nine hours, draw off a little of the 
water, and with a pen dipped into it, make a few 
strokes upon white paper. The first will probably 
be high coloured, in which case the indigo is not 
sufficiently fermented; this operation is to be re¬ 
peated every quarter of an hour, until it loses its 
colour; when it is arrived at the true point of fer¬ 
mentation.” 
It is astonishing that an experiment so simple in 
itself, if it answers, should have been for so many 
years unknown to the indigo planters in general; 
and I confess, that, although I have had no oppor¬ 
tunity of giving it a trial, I am myself somewhat 
doubtful of its efficacy. The following method, 
which I give on the authority of Mr. Lediard, is, 
I conceive, attended with much greater certainty : 
Voi. ii r 
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