OPIUM POPPY 185 



Depth of seed, one-half to one inch; of divisions, 

 as before. 



Sow the seed when the ground is fit; in mild 

 climates it may be sown in the fall. Set root divisions 

 in spring. 



Thin when seedlings are four to six inches high, to 

 six inches apart in the rows. 



Culture should be clean. 



Pick the leaves when the plants are well established ; 

 cut for use as wanted. 



Protection is necessary in northern winters; give a 

 mulch of hay, straw, or leaves. 



Use the leaves in seasoning, stripping off the dry 

 outer coats. 



OPIUM POPPY (Papaver somniferum) is the annual 

 plant from which opium is obtained, but grown for use 

 in domestic medicine as yielding from its capsules a 

 decoction used as a sedative or an anodyne application. 

 Its seeds are occasionally used in cooking. It comes in 

 two varieties, the carnation-flowered and peony-flow- 

 ered. 



Soil should be light and quick. 



Distances. One foot each way. 



Sow in mild climates in fall. Otherwise sow when 

 the ground is fit. Or sow under glass in pots, and set 

 out. Successive sowings are possible until June. 



Gather the capsules when ripe. 



