ught. However, not more than
a fortnight should be allowed to pass, after the seedlings have
appeared, before the weeds are carefully removed, and this clearing
should be frequently repeated until the plants so overshadow the
ground that they of themselves keep back the advance of the weeds.
The first weeding is best performed immediately after a shower of
rain.

Irrigation is rarely adopted for the indigo crops in the lower
provinces of Bengal, unless they happen to be grown in some
situation very favorable to the operation, such as the bank of a
river. It is much more attended to in the western provinces, and in
Oude, the water being obtained from wells, which are dug in nearly
every cultivated plot. In Oude, Mr. Ballard says that a biggah of
land employs three persons to irrigate it, and occupies never less
than six days. The ryot, or cultivator, requires for the work a pair
of bullocks, which cost him at least 32s., a bucket made of a white
bullock hide, at 2s., and a rope for 2s. more, both of which do not
last him above a year. He never pays less than 8s. for the rent of a
biggah of land near a well.

In Bengal the plant requires three months to attain its highest
state of perfection for manufacturing, but is often cut, from
necessity, within half that time; for the approach of the river
compels the premature removal of the crop, unless, indeed, its
growth has been so retarded that it would not pay the expense of
working. Most indigo factories have consequently to begin in June,
or early in July, whenever they may have effected their spring
sowings, and the labors of the season are commonly terminated by the
middle or end of August.

When the plants begin to flower is considered the best time for
cutting them, and this is just what the botanist would have
suggested, because then the proper sap of all plants is most
abundant, and most rich in their several peculiar secretions. A
vividly green, abundant and healthy foliage, downy at the back, is
the surest intimation of the plants being rich in indigo. Plants
that are ready for cutting in July and August, are usually the most
productive.

In the western provinces from sixteen to twenty maunds of plant is
considered a good produce per biggah. In the upper provinces the
produce of the best crop, which is sown dire