OPIUM — SUGAR CANE. 289 



account, and it is to be hoped ^^ill be brought 

 into use at no distant period. 



Opium was used in large quantities before 

 our taking possession of Sindh, but the increased 

 expense of the drug has since contributed to 

 lessen the consumj^tion. The opium produced 

 in Upper Sindh, about Shikai'poor, Larkhana, 

 and further north, has always been considered 

 of a ver}- superior description. The opium- 

 eaters of Sindh are said, however, to j^refer the 

 drug produced in Jeysidmeer to that of home 

 growth, and most of what is consimied comes 

 direct from that state. 



Sugar cane grows to a large size in the rich 

 lands bordering on the Indus, but the sugar de- 

 rived from it is of the coarsest description. This 

 crop is precarious, as it is attacked by white ants, 

 unless plentifully supplied T^dth water at the 

 time of planting in January ; and by red ants 

 in July or August, which last devour the crop 

 unless there is a fall of rain. The cultivation 

 costs 60 rupees per bcega, and the average 

 value is about 90 rupees. The richer natives 

 never use the common su2:ar unless clarified or 

 made into sugar candy. The Europeans in 



VOL. I. ly 



