CULTIVATION OF THE POPPY, ETC., IN INDIA. 
129 
By the end of July, the manufacturing is finished, but much atten- 
tion has to be given to the cakes, by turning them in their cups, 
and removing mildew as it collects by rolling them in poppy trash. 
When the shells prove defective they are strengthened by addi- 
tional leaves. 
The following is the regulated composition of the cakes by weight: 
standard opium, 1 seer 10 chks. ; standard opium convert jd into 
lewah, 4 chks. ; leaves, 5| chks. ; total, 2 seers 3J chks. By 
October the cakes, having become dry to the touch and quite solid, 
are packed in chests, furnished with a double tier of wood parti- 
tions, each presenting 20 squares. In these, the cakes are packed 
securely, surrounded by dry poppy trash. The shell of the opium 
cake, apparently so fragile, acquires by time great solidity and 
strength, especially after the moisture of the interior ceases to pass 
outward and dampen it. 
The above described process of manufacture applies to opium 
put up for the China market, and it includes the great bulk of the 
production. The drug intended for home consumption is different- 
ly treated. It is called abkaree opium. The opium is exposed 
to the sun until it acquires the consistence of 90 per cent., and 
has the consistence and firmness of wax. It is then made into 
rectangular brick shaped masses of one seer (21bs.) each, which are 
separately wrapped in oiled Nepaul paper, and packed in boxes 
furnished with compartments for their reception. Abkaree opium 
has not the powerful aroma of the ball of opium, but it is more pow- 
erful, and more easily packed. 
When the opium season is concluded, the magistrate of Ghazee- 
pore selects six cakes promiscuously from the provision, for exami- 
nation and analysis by the opium examiners of Calcutta, the Be- 
har agency, and the Benares agency, who ascertain the following 
points, viz. 1st. The gross weight of the cake. 2d. The weight 
of the shell separated from its contents. 3d. The weight of the 
contents. 4th. The condition of the shell. 5th. Physical charac- 
ter of the drug. 6th. Its consistence. 7th. Its yield of extract to 
cold distilled water. 8th. The quantity of morphia present. 9th. 
The quantity of narcotina. The following table exhibits the 
chemical results of four seasons, two cakes of each season being 
examined. The reader may draw the average. 
