INDIGENOUS OPIUM. 243 
given by M. Chevallier, and recorded in the same report,' the return 
amounts to seventy-two grammes per hour, and consequently to 720 
grammes a day ; but M. Aubergier admits himself, that this result, ob- 
tained under the most extraordinary circumstances, cannot be considered 
as possible to be realised in the regular course of events in the manu- 
facture. 
It would also be difficult at present to find women who would work, 
as then, for sixty cents. I think, however, with M. Benard, that there 
might be obtained from schools or orphanages, children of from twelve 
to fourteen years of age, who would give themselves readily to this kind 
of work which does not require masculine strength, and children of that 
age are generally nimble and dexterous. 
M. Benard, at Amiens, had extracted opium from reed seed, sown 
broadcast at the rate of from 28 frs. 58 cents, the kilogr., and in another 
case, the red having been planted in lines, obtained only 23 frs. 95 cents. 
M. Benard, cultivator at Pucheville, in Somme, collected at the rate of 
from 26 frs. 65 cents, the kilogramme ; but to arrive at that there must 
be workers, paid at 75 cents, to 1 fr. per day, also favourable weather 
and skilled hands. Let us now examine the result of our personal ob- 
servations, and calculate the cost by the hectare of ground. 
In our country a hectare of ground is rented at . 
Interest of this sum 
Farm manure, thirty cubic yards at 5 frs. each 
Two labourers at 20 frs. each 
For harrowing twice 
Seed, five quarts at 32 cents. 
Digging ground, 56 days of women at 1 fr. 25 cts. 
Gathering of seed, 28 days . . . 
Gathering of opium, 200 days 
Total of the cost for cultivation and the 
crop per hectare . . . . 627 10 
I have purposely omitted the price of carriage from the plantation 
to the habitation ; the stems, or straw, and the compost in reserve more 
than covers that expense. 
Receipts. 
The hectare gives in general :— frs. cents. 
1st. 20 hectolitres of seed at 30 frs. each .^ . 600 
2nd. 9 to 10 kilogrs. of dry opium, containing 
from 15 to 20 per cent, of morphine at 80 frs. 
the kilogr 800 
Total receipt 1400 
Receipt exceeding the outlay or net profit on the 
hectare 772 90 
In quoting opium only at 60 frs, the kilogr. would give a net profit 
of 572 frs. 90 cents, the hectare. 
jus. 
. 90 
UBIILH. 

. 4 
50 
. 150 

. 40 

. 10 

. 1 
60 
. 70 

. 36 

. 250 

