GAMOPETALy^:-II 129 



a few Scottish counties, from Westmorland southwards 

 its occurrence is couipciratively common. 



Collection.— The leaf and stem may be collected at 

 any season, as there is no marked variation in the amount 

 of alkaloids found in them; the root only shows a small 



seasoufil variation. 



Present Source of Supply.— It is important at this 

 juncture to direct attention to this and the following 

 section, as there will be a shortage of these plants for 

 the next three or four years. Before the War, the bulk 

 of the world's supply came from South Hungary. Only 

 a little Belladonna root is dug in England. The stocks 

 liad becoiiie short even before the present War, on account 

 of the interference with cultivation caused by the Balkan 

 War of 1912-13. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries 

 reports that the root, which realized 45.s. per cwt. in 

 January, 1914, was sold for 65s. in June of the same 

 year, and on the outbreak of war it rose at once to 

 lOO.v., and at the end of August fetched loOs. Again, 

 Belladonna leaves from abroad, sold at 45.s. to 50.9. a cwt. 

 before the War, were unobtainable at the end of August, 

 1914, at U. per lb. The annual consumpt in this country 

 is about 50 tons, but much more is required for export 



purposes. 



Cidtivafion.— The seeds germinate slowly. These are 



drilled in rows 3 feet apart, and 2-3 lb. of seed are used 

 to the acre. In addition, it is customary to grow the 

 plant in seed-beds so as to fill in gaps due to dormant 

 seeds and other causes. Being liable to injury, the seed- 

 lings receive a light top-dressing of farmyard manure to 

 preserve young shoots. The plants are kept 18 niches 

 apart the first year, and by September they, attani a 

 l.oifdit of U-21 feet from the ground. It is the leaves 

 of these plants which are collected. Before winter, the 

 stalks left after the collection are thinned till they arc 



