Am.  Jour.Pharm.  \ 
August,  1896.  J 
The  Poppy  and  Opium  in  Persia, 
437 
days,  until  the  water  has  become  absorbed  and  the  outer  surface 
has  had  time  to  dry  a  little.  The  ground  is  then  raked  over,  so  as 
to  make  a  complete  covering  for  the  seed.  If  there  should  be  no 
rainfall  within  a  fortnight,  the  water  is  again  turned  on,  and  this  is 
repeated  at  irregular  intervals  until  the  winter  rains  render  it  unnec- 
essary. After  the  sowing  and  before  the  next  watering,  most  cul- 
tivators sprinkle  manure  all  over  the  terraces.  Almost  any  kind 
impregnated  with  strong  alkalis  will  do. 
(5)  In  about  six  weeks  from  the  time  of  sowing,  the  plants  will 
have  shot  forth  four  or  five  leaves.  It  may,  however,  be  two  months, 
for  the  weather  is  occasionally  cool,  and  this  retards  growth.  They 
should  then  be  thinned  out,  so  as  to  stand  about  6  inches  apart  in 
all  directions. 
(6)  The  plants  are  hardy  and  will  stand  the  cold  up  to  freezing 
point.  During  the  winter  no  irrigation  is  needed;  but  here,  from 
the  end  of  March,  the  plants  will  have  become  vigorous  and  should 
have  water,  either  by  rain  or  irrigation  at  the  least,  every  ten  days, 
or,  if  the  weather  is  hot,  every  six  or  seven  days.  Again,  about 
this  time  or  a  little  later,  manure  is  spread  between  the  plants  in 
order  to  keep  them  strong  and  stimulate  the  sap.  It  is,  of  course, 
necessary  when  the  spring  growth  begins,  to  observe  carefully  the 
state  of  the  plant  and  not  give  it  too  much  water,  or  it  will  grow  out 
of  all  proportion,  and  be  utterly  useless.  The  flowers  will  appear  in 
May,  and  will  continue  for  about  a  fortnight.  After  the  flowers 
begin  to  droop,  and  until  the  opium  matures,  is  the  most  critical 
time,  and  a  close  observation  of  the  plant  has  to  be  made  so  that 
a  healthy  condition  may  be  maintained.  A  slight  watering  may  be 
necessary,  but  the  state  of  the  plant  must  be  the  determining  factor. 
For  some  few  days  before  the  plant  matures  no  water  should  be 
given,  and,  if  possible,  not  allowed. 
(7)  When  the  flower  has  fallen,  the  boll  immediately  below  must 
be  very  carefully  noted.  When  it  assumes  a  light  brown  color, 
darker  than  amber,  it  may  be  assumed  that  the  poppy  has  matured. 
An  incision,  diagonally  across  the  boll  from  top  to  bottom,  should 
be  made,  and  if  the  juice,  of  a  dark  brown  color,  exudes,  it  is  certain 
that  the  opium  is  matured.  The  incision  should  be  made  in  the 
evening,  and  the  opium  which  adheres  to  the  stem  of  the  plant 
should  be  removed  before  sunrise  in  the  morning.  In  this  country 
the  opium  is  collected  into  jars  or  ordinary  cooking  utensils,  and 
