PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 
129 
duced any more, in order to avoid bruising the tender 
leaves. From this period until that of the maturity of the 
capsules, nothing is done to the plantation, except plucking 
up with the hand any weeds which may show themselves 
here and there, and of which the soil should always be 
carefully purged. 
An important precaution to be taken during the opera- 
tions of weeding, is not to wound the principal roots or the 
pivots, with the instruments made use of ; otherwise the 
plant would perish by the decay produced by the effusion 
of its juices. The poppy will not bear transplanting; this 
means cannot therefore be employed for replenishing vacant 
places, as is the practice with some other cultures. 
When it is perceived by their color turning yellow, and 
by the hardness produced by the accumulated juices, that 
the capsules have attained the proper maturity, the cultiva- 
tor should hasten to put in requisition the workmen neces- 
sary for incising the capsules and collecting the opium ; one 
hectare will require from 15 to 20 people for 12 or 15 days. 
Children should not be employed for this work ; they can- 
not reach the capsules. 
The product may be collected 20 hours after having in- 
cised the capsules, but this operation proceeds less quickly ; 
by incising for three hours, the work of six or seven hours 
collecting is prepared. Thus the incising should be perform- 
ed during the three hottest hours of the day, and the tears 
of opium which flowed out the night before collected dur- 
ing intervals of morning and evening. 
The instrument which appears most suitable for mak- 
ing the incisions is a penknife with a convex blade; and, 
for collecting the opium, the blade of the carving-knife of 
the same form. 
Taking account of the extraordinary and unfavorable 
variations of the temperature of this year, M. Hardy thus 
sets forth the culture of one hectare — 
VOL. XI. — NO. II. 12 
