On the Cultivation of the Poppy. 341 
That which is first expressed is of a pale colour; is pecu- 
liarly bland and soft, has a flavour approaching to that of 
the almond oil. Tt is used for salads and other domestic 
purposes, either alone ur mixed with olive oil. Should the 
latter be stale or rancid, it will be considerably improved by 
a mixture of recent poppy oil. It is not asserted that this 
oil may be placed in competition with Provence or Italian 
oils of prime quality ; but that it is superior to the olive oils | 
sold in shops, being often used to improve their quality. 
May I not add, that the inhabitants of this country are 
somewhat prepared for ihe’ culinary use of this oll, by being 
already accustomed to.its taste, though without their know- 
ledge. ’ For since it has long been imported into Holland, 
and used without suspicion, we cannot suppose that the mer- 
chants of this commercial nation are totally strangers to the 
commodity *, . 
The second-drawn oils are of a deeper colour, and are ap- 
plicable to all the purposes of the more common oils. This 
may even be used as lamp oil; and it is alleged that it does 
not give off so large a quantity of smoke, and emits a brighter 
flame. : . ' 
The oil-cakes are peculiarly serviceable for feeding and fat- 
tening of cattle; being deemed equal to linseed cakes. All 
cattle are very fond of it, and eat it with eagerness. This is 
the constant use of it in Brabant. The stems are sometimes 
used for fodder, containing a considerable quantity of nutri- 
tive vils; or mixed with stable-dung and other manures, 
they enrich their quality, 
* We are told by Mr.C. A. Fisher, in his Letters written during a Journey 
to Montpellier, in the Year 1804, “ that the oil of Provence, which, on account 
of its purity, mildness, and fine flavour, is. famous all over Europe, is ex- 
ported to Italy in large quantities, and was formerly exported to many distant 
countries. But since the hard winters of 1789, and the following years, so 
many olive trees have been frozen, and during the revolution so few planted, 
that Aix (which was the principal seat of its traffic) has now entirely lost its 
first and most lucrative branch of commerce.” 
’ ‘Two inferences may be drawn from the above information : our best oils, 
though imported from Italy, are probably of the growth of Provence; and 
it is still more probable that the inferior sorts could not be afforded, even at 
the present price, without a large mixture of the poppy oil. 
¥Y3 Erpenses, 
