Show IHH o The hief sourCe of natural indigo Is th > various species of Indigofera es 1 lan 1 digofera tinctoria which are cultivated in India China and South Arrf rica The method of its preparation prepara-tion is very simple although consider abt attention is paid to the treatment of the soil previous to theplanting of the seeds Ten to fourteen days suffice for the first appearance of the shoots abow the soil after which they continue con-tinue to grow rapidly Shortly before flowering or about three months after sowing the plants are cut oft close to the ground and are then ready for extra ex-tra < ting the color After cropping the plants are again allowed to grow until they are sufficiently mature to admit of a second cutting Occasionally a third or even a fourth crop is made hut each of these contains successively less end less of the indican The cut plants arc at once placed in large stone cisterns ir fermenting vats called 4steppers where they are covered with water and kept in position by means of boards and heavy stones |