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To make up a Blue Vat

Take 1 pound indigo, and grind in water until no grittiness can be felt between the fingers; 124. To Prepare Cotton Cloth for put this into a deep vessel -casks are gener- Dyeing. The cloth is taken out of the fold, ally used with about 12 gallons water; then and hanked up by the hand, taking the end add 2 pounds copperas, and 3 pounds newly- through the hank and tying it loosely, techslaked lime, and stir for 15 minutes; stir again nically termed kinching; it is then steeped after 2 hours, and repeat every 2 hours for 5 or over night in old alkaline lye, which loosens 6 times; towards the end, the liquor should be of a greenish yellow color, with blackish veins through it, and a rich froth of indigo on the surface. After standing 8 hours to settle, the vat is fit to use.