The want of success with indigo in the early days was probably owing far more to the imperfect knowledge of the methods of preparation than to the want of the imported seed. It seems to have been usually attempted at first to carry on indigo-making in alternation with other labors.
In an early Description of South Carolina[1] we read: "One Slave may manage two acres and upwards [of indigo] and raise provisions beside; and have all the Winter Months to saw Lumber and be otherwise employed in."
And again: "I cannot leave this Subject without observing how conveniently and profitably as to the change of Labour both Indigo and Rice may be managed by the same persons: for the Labour attending Indigo being over in the Summer Months, those who are employed in it may afterwards manufacture Rice in the ensuing Part of the Year, when it becomes most laborious; and after doing all this they will have some Time to spare for Sawing Lumber and making Hogshead and other Staves to supply the Sugar Colonies."
In its best days indigo-making was a profession absorbing all the thought of an entire plantation.
An extended list of "Rules and Directions as practiced by an ingenious Person who practiced them with much Success" is given in Dr. Hewit's Historical Account of South Carolina and Georgia.[2] Another even more explicit description of the processes used is given by Du Rose in his Reminiscences. From these and other sources the following details of methods in vogue among professionals have been compiled:
The ground to be planted was plowed or turned up with hoes some time in December, that the frost might render it rich and mellow. Afterward it was harrowed, cleaned from all roots, grass, etc., well drained, and thoroughly pulverized. After all danger of frost was over—in South Carolina about the beginning of April—the fields were laid off in drills about an inch deep and twelve to fifteen inches apart. In these drills the seeds, mixed with lime and ashes, were sown.
Mr. Hewit tells us: "The next thing to be considered is the choice of seed, in which the planters should be very nice. There is great variety of it, and from every one good indigo may be made, but none answers so well in this colony as the true Gautimala, which if good is a small, oblong black seed, very bright and full, and when rubbed in the hand will appear as if highly polished. A bushel of seed will sow four English acres."
If the season was a fair one, the seeds came up in ten days or
