

CULTURE OF THE POPPY FOR OIL. 29«5 



But there is another important point of view in which this l^^^ at 

 suhject may be considered. Successful attempts have lately opium to be 

 been made to procure opium from the poppy, in no respect obtame • 

 inferior to that imported from the East*; and it is asserted, 

 that although it may be afforded at a very inferior price, the 

 product would afford ample profit to the cultivator. As the 

 opium issues from the rind, and the seeds have been proved 

 not to partake of its narcotic properties, an important in- 

 quiry presents itself, whether the poppy may not be cultivated 

 with a view to both articles? This can only be determined by 

 solving another question, will the incisions made in the green 

 and unripe capsufum, and the exudation of its juices, prove inju- 

 rious to the seeds in this advanced state of its growth ? The 

 argument from analogy, which is the only mode until we can 

 obtain facts, appears to favour the negative of the question ; 

 not only as there is no immediate correspondence in the 

 qualities of these two parts of the same vegetable, but as many 

 experiments have proved, that by checking the growth, or 

 weakening the vegetative powers of one part of a plant, they 

 are increased and improved in another. 



Desirous of obtaining some information concerning this Experiments, 

 interesting subject, I sowed, in the year 1804, about half a 

 lug of garden ground with the white poppy seed; and when 

 the heads were advanced to a sufficient state of maturity, I 

 scarified the external surface of one portion of them with a 

 penknife, suffering the others to remain entire; and though the 

 exudations were very considerable, there was no perceptible 

 difference in the colour, taste, or size of the seeds; except- 

 ing where the incisions passed through the whole integument, 

 which frequently happened from the imperfection of the in- 

 strument, and my inexpertness. The seeds which lay near- 

 est to the openings were discoloured by the admission of ex- 

 ternal air; but the taste of the seed was not injured. 



This little experiment served to convince me, that the seeds Rats,mice,iind 

 of the poppy are peculiarly grateful to birds, rats, and mice. *?*jfjj| 

 • The first dexterously made large holes in the lower surface of 



* See Transactions of the Society instituted at London, for the En- 

 ' couragement of Arts, &c. on the mode and advantages attending the 

 cultivation of Opium.— Vols. 14, 15, 1G, 18. 



the 



