THE POLYPETAL.i: 65 



IS one of the moat valuable of druo-s, being administered 



to relieve pain and sooth excited nerves. It is also 

 useful as an astringent in cases of diarrhoea, and as a 

 sedative to ease couMis, &c. 



D istrihut ion. — Tlie principal sources of opium are 

 European and Asiatic Turkey, India, and China. In 

 this country the white variety of Opium -Poppy is 

 grown in several parts of the country, notably in Lin- 

 colnshire. 



Collection, — In this country there is a steady market 

 for poppy-heads, the capsules being harvested about 

 September and placed for a fortniglit on a drying floor. 

 This is a boarded floor in a freely ventilated building; 

 the capsules are placed in a thin layer on the floor, and 

 are turned every day in order to secure uniformity of 

 drying. The capsules are ready after tliey have become 

 brittle, and crack in the hand when pressed. 



Present Source of Suiyply. — In this country growers 

 of Opium-Poppy supply the market only with poppy- 

 heads. BeJ 



heads to this country. There is therefore a serious 

 'Shortage, and Opium is one of the plants the cultivation 

 of which is strongly recommended by the Board of Agri- 

 culture and Fisheries. Its cultivation would combine 

 pmfit with patriotism, as there is likely to be a shortage 

 for some years after the War. The price of the larger 

 sizes is 125. to lbs. per 1000, of the smaller sizes from 

 85. to lO.v. per 1000. 



Cultivation, — Opium -Poppy grows best in a ricli, 

 n^oist soil, with plenty of sun. Usually it is cropped 

 after wheat, oats, or barley. After manuring and plough- 

 ^^g in autumn, the seed is sown in March or April, 1 lb. 

 of seed being allowed per acre. The drills are made 

 f foot apart. When 3-4 inches high the plants are cut 

 i^to clumps 6-9 inches apart, and then all except one 



Wa 



