and of preparing Opium from it. 165 



mens of British opium have been produced, and proved to be in 

 no degree inferior to tlie best foreign opium ; but it lias not yet 

 been ascertained that this valuable drug can be cultivated in Bri- 

 tain with profit to the grower. 



The few experiments which have been made, were conducted 

 according to the Eastern mode. But the temperature, winds, and 

 rain of this climate have hitherto been justly considered as in- 

 superable obstacles. Of these the temperature may be held as 

 the least objectionable, for the large white poppy {Papaver som- 

 niferum of Linnaeus), from which foreign opium is obtained, conies 

 to maturity in this climate. But it is further objected, that the 

 high winds beat down the plants, and the rains wash off the opium, 

 before it can be collected, when the Eastern mode of gathering it 

 is practised. It has therefore been proposed to cultivate the 

 garden poppy of this country, because it is not so liable to be da- 

 maged by wind as the large white poppy. 



It is the object of this communication to describe a method by 

 which these obstacles have been completely removed, and to de- 

 monstrate from the result of experiment, that opium, superior in 

 quality to the best Turkey opium, can be procured in Britain, in 

 sufficient quantity not only for home consumption, but also for 

 exportation. It is proposed to cultivate the poppy not only for its 

 opium, but also for its oil ; and it will appear that a crop of early 

 potatoes may be raised upon the same space of ground with the 

 opium and oil by the same culture, and that such a crop will, in 

 a good season, yield a clear profit of from 50/. to 80/. per acre, 

 allowing 60/. for expenses. 



The monopolv of the opium produced from the culture of the 

 poppy, is the third principal branch of the East India Company's 

 territorial reveinie in India*'. 



In 1773, the contract or exclusive privilege for providing opium 

 was granted to Meer Muukeer, in preference (as was stated by 

 Government) to any one else, because, being the person employed 

 by the gentlemen of Patiia in that business, he was the best ac- 

 quainted with the proper mode of managing it, and would account 

 for any outstanding balances. He was to deliver the Bahar opium 

 at 320 rupees, and the Oude at 350 rupees per maund. 



Since that time, the East India Company's annual revenue 

 upon that article alone, has risen from eight to upwards of eighty 

 lacs of rupees, or more tlian a million sterling. By a Report, 

 dated Ea>,t India House, 29th February ISK), which was at that 

 time laid before parliament, the sale of opium in Bengal for the 

 year 1S13-14, amounted to 96 lacs 40,729 current rupees, the 

 advances and charges upon which only amounted to 10 lacs 

 77>638 current rupees. 



• Parliamentary Reports, vol vii. p. 23. 



L 3 But 



