CULTURE OF THE POPPY IN INDIA. 
147 
quiring only the summer heat of northern latitudes; such as 
Wheat, Barley, and European Kitchen-garden Vegetables. 
As low temperatures enough occur throughout the plains of 
India, the Poppy may be successfully cultivated from Behar, 
even to the banks of the Sutlej, or in the several independent 
states of the partially elevated table land of Central India, 
which are usually comprehended under the name of Malwa. 
The Behar, or Patna Opium, has long been esteemed of the 
finest quality for the China market; but that of Malwa, con- 
taining a large proportion of the narcotic principle, has rapidly 
attained almost equal value. For this it is probably indebted 
to the climate of Central India; but the north-western pro- 
vinces could no doubt produce it of as fine a quality; since a 
specimen prepared at Bareilly was found to contain the largest 
proportion of the narcotic principle. Some Opium prepared 
by the Author at Saharunpore, was pronounced equal to the 
best Turkey, for medical purposes, and this was very similar 
to some procured in the Himalayas. The latter is grown 
there much later in the season, and collected nearly in the 
same months as in Europe and Asia Minor, that is in May 
and June. It can, no doubt, be prepared of the best quality 
for the European market, both in the hills and plains, when- 
ever it is thought desirable to do so. 
Though in the preparation of many of the valued articles 
of commerce, the Hindoos preceded most nations, yet they 
have usually been surpassed, whenever European skill and 
energy have been applied to the improvement of these very 
discoveries. It is remarkable, therefore, to find that w T ith 
Opium they should have attained complete success, and this, 
too, without the aid of European science. But in the prepa- 
ration of Opium, nature does everything, and man has only 
to wait patiently and carefully to collect the secretions of her 
laboratory. 
The cultivation of the plant, however, requires some degree 
of attention, such as good soil, manure, and also careful man- 
agement of the irrigation. The strength of the juice depends 
upon the quantity of moisture, and also, as Dr. Butter has 
