118 



extract Cocaine. Coca wine and several other preparations are 

 made from the leaves. The Huanuco leaves are used for making 

 Cocaine, the important anaesthetic, and the Truxillo leaves for 

 Coca wine and in Pharmacy ; the latter are as strong as the former 

 in alkaloid, but the product will not crystallise (Burgoyne and 

 Burbidge in Kew Bull. 1889, p. 13). The Indian's standard of 

 distinction for leaves for chewing is sweet leaves, " Najas dulces," 

 and bitter leaves, " Najas amargas " (I.e. p. 7). 



Coca is cultivated in the Botanic Gardens of Southern Nigeria 

 and the plants grow freely. An equable and moist climate, with 

 a temperature not lower than 60°, rich loamy soil, well drained, 

 full sunlight, and judicious pruning, are the chief requirements 

 under cultivation. E. Coca, grown mostly in Bolivia and Peru, is 

 said to thrive best and to produce the best product at an altitude of 

 3,500 to 6,000 feet (Nat. Stand. Disp. 1905, p. 141). It is found in 

 Peru up to an altitude of 7,000 feet, and is principally produced 

 in the Provinces of Otuzco, Huamachuco Huanuco, Tarma, 

 Huanta, Cuzco, and Urubamba ; the last mentioned place produces 

 the finest leaves, said to produce the best cocaine (Cons. Rep. 

 Ann. No. 4074, 1908, p. 30). E. novo-granatense is believed to 

 be more suitable for lower elevations approaching sea level. Plants 

 may be raised from seed, and planted out when several inches 

 high into permanent places 4 to 5 feet apart. The plants would 

 probably grow much larger than this space allows, but since it is 

 the leaf crop that is wanted, the cutting back necessary to keep 

 them within bounds will be beneficial. 



In Peru the plants yield a crop after three years, and a full 

 grown shrub may yield two or three good crops in the course of a 

 year (Kew Bull. 1889, p. 7). It has been estimated that 100 plants 

 willj yield 26 lbs. of leaves at a crop, and 800 lbs. of leaves is 

 given as the yearly production of an acre (Spoil's Encycl. 

 p. 1307). An average return in Java is given at 720 lbs. of leaves 

 per acre, and the plantations are replanted after about 18 years 

 (Agric. News, Barbados, 1907, p. 127, from Tropenpfl. February, 

 1906). Rusby (Nat. Stand. Disp. 1905, p. 445) gives 60-80 lbs. of 

 dried leaves per acre as a fair yield at a picking. 



The fully developed green leaves only are gathered for market. 

 They are in good condition if they snap when doubled, and before 

 they are ready to fall. 



Drying is the only preparation required, and the leaves are 

 usually sun-dried, shade-dried, or artificially dried. Leaves dried 

 gradually in the shade are considered the best, and if artificial 

 drying is resorted to the temperature, according to Dr. Warden, 

 should not be much higher than 150° F. (Kew Bull. 1889, p. 7). 



In S. America the leaves are dried quickly, within two or three 

 hours, in hot sunshine, and not the least moisture is allowed to 

 reach them. After lying in a loose pile in the coca house for two 

 or three days they are again briefly exposed to the sun to dispose 

 of any moisture which has accumulated ; they are then powerfully 

 compressed into small bales called "cestos," nominally of 25 lbs. 

 each. Two " cestos " are then sown into a raw hide and, when 

 this is thoroughly dried, they are ready for transportation 



