1MIAR.MACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 47 



ill. Marrubium. A very common California weed. Can be grown 

 an\ -whore. Cultural methods much as for mints. Market limited and 

 price per pound low. 



22. Poppy. The opium poppy thrives exceedingly well. Grow 

 directly from the seed, as it can not be transplanted with success. The 

 petals and heads are marketable. The opium can not be obtained, 

 profitably, by the Oriental method, on account of the cost of labor. 

 Some years ago it was suggested that the juice be expressed from the 

 entire plant and then evaporated. Such opium contains from one to 

 four per cent of alkaloids, as determined in the laboratories of the Cali- 

 fornia College of Pharmacy. Others declare that the alkaloidal yield 

 of such opium is practically nil. Further experimenting is necessary. 

 There is apparently no reason why opium should not be manufactured 

 in this new way. It would, of course, be necessary to change (lower) 

 the alkaloidal standard. 



The poppy must be grown from seed, as the seedlings are transplanted 

 with great difficulty. Sow the seed (drill) in rows about two feet 

 apart, and thin out to suit when seedlings are well established. Cul- 

 tivation is simple and easy. 



23. Medicinal Rhubarbs. Do well in the State. Can be grown 

 much Hke the culinary rhubarbs, which are very extensively cultivated 

 in the San Francisco Bay region. The start must be made from seed, 

 after which the lateral shoots are used for transplanting. Three- to 

 six-year-old roots are gathered, peeled, cut, dried, and marketed. 



The medicinal rhubarb could no doubt be grown very profitably on 

 the shaded or northern moist slopes of the coast hills. Forced culti- 

 vation is not desirable, as it deteriorates the drug. (See DISPENSATORIES 

 and English cultural reports.) 



24. Rosemary. Thrives well and is easily cultivated. The grower 

 should also manufacture the oil. Can be grown with such labiates as 

 marmbium and other herbs which do not require very moist soil. 



25. Sage. Easily cultivated, common everywhere. Can be grown 

 with other garden herbs. 



26. Scopola. Used as a substitute for belladonna, having closely 

 similar properties and uses. The market demand for the drug is, how- 

 ever, uncertain, belladonna having the decided preference. As far as 

 known, this plant has not yet been grown in this State, but there is no 

 reason why it should not do well in the same localities as belladonna, 

 under the same methods of culture. 



J7. Squill. Thrives exceedingly well in the immediate coast 

 region, in moist, sandy soil. The bulbs grow to large size. Well known 

 to Californians. 



