Mechanical Science, 14> 



11. Ink similar to China Ink. — M. Fontenelle says, that an ink, 

 equal in colour and goodness to China or Indian ink, may be 

 made by dissolving six parts of isinglass in twelve of water, one 

 part of Spanish liquorice in two of water, mixing the solutions 

 whilst warm, and incorporating with them one part of the best 

 ivory-black, using a spatula, and adding but small portions at 

 once. When the mixture is complete, it is to be heated in a 

 water bath, until so much water is evaporated as to leave a paste 

 which may be moulded into any required form, and then the 

 drying completed. 



1 2. English Opium. — Messrs. Cowley and Stains still continue to 

 grow poppies for opium*, and the following result will shew with 

 what success this branch of agriculture is likely to be attended. 

 In the year 1S23, they collected as much as 196 lbs. of opium 

 from poppies growing on twelve acres, one rod, and thirteen poles 

 of land. Its character was such in the market, that it sold at 

 two shillings per pound above the best foreign opium, and they 

 believe that nothing but the carelessness of cultivators is likely to 

 bring it into disrepute. One of the most ix)sitive directions 

 given to those employed in collecting it, is to avoid the fall 

 of petals, stamina, 8^c. into the receivers, and to take care if 

 an implement falls to the ground, that it be properly cleaned from 

 grit, ^c, a small quantity of which Avould seriously injure the 

 quality. 



The expenses attendant upon the cultivation of the twelve 

 acres, one rod, and thirteen poles of white poppies, and the ex- 

 traction of the opium, seed, and extract, amounted to 274/. 1^. Sc/., 

 of which above 103/. was paid to the labourers who collected the 

 opium. The produce was as follows : — 



Opium, 196 lbs., at 1/. 10^. 6d. per lb. 

 Seed, 25 cwt. 1 qr. 22 lbs., at 12^. per cwt. 

 Ditto unsold, about 5 cwt., worth . . 



Extract, 381 lbs., 2X \s. Gd 



Turnips, 10 acres, at 2/. \0s. per acre . 



There is one remark respecting the soil brought into this kind 

 of cultivation, so important, that we quote it at length. " A 



Quarterly Journal of Science, xv. 139. 



