367 
I shall now lay before the Society some general remarks on the cultiva¬ 
tion of Poppies, and then conclude with submitting a few hints and directions 
respecting the preparation of Opium. 
Having a tap-root, their size will consequently be proportionate to the 
depth of earth they are enabled to penetrate. Hence the -necessity of land 
that will admit of deep ploughing. The fineness of the surface too is very 
essential. As the seed is so small, and the plants, on their first coming up, 
so exceedingly tender, the bush-harrow should always be used after those 
which are commonly employed. By this means a greater number are likely 
to vegetate, and from being better protected, are less liable to injury. 
Poppies (and when I use this name, I mean that particular kind before 
specified) may be cultivated both by the drill and broad-cast mode of hus¬ 
bandry : at the same time it must be remembered, that the land for each 
requires a different disposition. In the former this is not so material, the 
sowing-machine regulating the distances of the rows according to the will of 
the operator: these ought to be nine inches or a foot asunder, and in beds 
containing four rows, allowing a foot and a half between each. But, with 
respect to the latter, this point must be strictly attended to: the ridges should 
never exceed four feet in breadth; so that the furrows will answer the double 
purpose of preserving the land throughout the winter, and, in the season for 
collecting the Opium, serve as paths to the workmen. 
Besides two chances of a crop, I am decidedly in favour of autumnal 
sowing; and the first week in September seems to be the most favourable 
period for this purpose. If the weather continues open, they will make such 
a progress as to be capable of resisting the severity of an inclement winter, 
without on the other hand being too forward; a circumstance highly dan¬ 
gerous, as the first severe frost is inevitably destructive. 
On this account, whether by the drill or otherwise, a larger proportion of 
seed should be sown at this season, for the plants will defend each other; and 
as all the plants will not be equally forward, so, let the winter prove what it 
may, provided the seed has vegetated freely, there will be great probability 
of a good appearance in spring. If unfortunately, however, such a winter 
as the last should again occur, and the whole plantation fail, a circumstance 
which has happened to myself, the spring sowing ought not to be deferred 
longer than the first week in March. 
I do not, without sufficient reason, recommend that this operation should 
