92
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
[APP.
dripping upon the 'lingam' of Mahadev from an earthen pot kept over it." Mr. Campbell, in
paragraph 9 of his report, also alludes to the special consumption of bhang at the Shivaratri
festival. The information that I have received from all districts in the presidency shows
that moderate consumption of bhang mixed with water, milk, sugar, and spices into a cooling
drink during the hot weather is a common practice amongst the fairly well-to-do classes, both
of Hindus and Musalmans, and that (Question 33) it is not regarded as otherwise than
respectable, it being a not unusual form of refreshment to offer to guests.
Questions 34—36.—I have every reason to believe that it would be a serious privation
to consumers to forego the use of the drug to which they are accustomed. Mr. Campbell has
referred to this in his report, and he is confirmed by every Collector who has written on
the subject. Ascetics, both Hindu and Musalman, are amongst the chief consumers; they
have considerable influence amongst large bodies of the lower classes, who on visiting them
from time to time themselves partake either of ganja or bhang without, so far as I can
gather, suffering injury therefrom. If the ascetics were deprived of what they regard as a
solace from many of the ills that flesh is heir to, they would scarcely refrain from expressing
their sentiments very freely, and impressing their own opinions on their visitors. It would
of course be possible to forbid and prevent in great measure the use of any of the drugs, but
I have no doubt whatever that serious discontent, which might easily amount to political
danger, would be caused by such prohibition, and by interference with the customs of men
who are universally regarded, by the uneducated classes at least as specially holy. It is not
improbable that prohibition of the use of these drugs would stimulate the consumption of
alcohol and opium, although I do not think there is any cause to believe that alcohol is taking
their place at present. There is no reason why it should.
18. With regard to the questions in Chapter VII, I have already said above in para-
graph 15 that I consider the present system to be working well, and have given reasons for
that opinion. It may be capable of improvement, but I am unable to offer any suggestions
in that direction either as regards the cultivation and preparation of the hemp plant, its con-
trol of the present system of wholesale and retail vend, export, transport, import, or taxation.
Nor does it seem to me necessary that there should be different rates of taxation for different
kinds of ganja. The whole trade is too trivial to bear minute detailed taxation, so far as this
presidency is concerned. Such taxation would cause harassing interference and vexation, and
would result in no corresponding benefit either to the public or to the Government revenues.
There are not, so far as I can ascertain, houses or shops licensed in this presidency for the
sale of these drugs or their preparations, where they may be consumed on the premises, and in
my opinion the grant of such licenses would be most objectionable.
T. D. MACKENZIE,
Commissioner of Customs, Salt, Opium, and Abk
Extract paragraphs 2 to 14 from the letter No. 562, dated 30th August 1893, from the
Deputy Collector of Bijapur.
"2. The hemp plant known as ganja is only grown in the town of Bijapur and no-
where else in the talukas under my charge. It is a domesticated plant, and does not grow
wild here, and, as far as I know, nowhere in the Southern Maratha Country.
Mode of Cultivation.
"3. It is grown generally as an irrigated crop, either in red or loamy soil well manured.
The land is tilled once or twice, and then it is ploughed with a heavy hoe called ' ukki-
kunti' and levelled. It is afterwards sown through a seed drill, the process of sowing re-
sembling in every respect the sowing of ordinary jowari, the space left between the rows of
crops being wider. A leveller called ' dindu' is then driven over the sown area with a view
to get the seeds covered over with earth. The seeds required are brought from Ahmednagar
and Indore in Central India. It is said that the seeds from the latter are of a superior quality
than those obtainable from the former place. As a rule the sowing takes place in July or
August, and the crops are reaped within about four months from the date of sowing. If
the rainfall is not sufficient, then the crop has to be watered once or twice a week. Hand-
weeding is mostly resorted to in addition to the use of grubber or yedi-kunti. (small hoe) with
a view to get rid of the grass or other weeds growing between the rows of crops. By the
driving of the yedi-kunti loose surface earth also accumulates at the roots of plants. This
process partly serves in keeping up moisture in the earth. When the plants grow to a height
of about two feet, the operations of selecting and uprooting the male plants commence, the
female plants only, as far as possible, being allowed to remain and grow to maturity. This
selection can only be made by an expert called "Párakhi," and if after great care any male or
staminate plants escape attention, and are allowed to grow, there is every fear of the entire crop
being damaged. The female plants are said to be so sensitive that if, perchance, male ones are
allowed to grow even altogether in a separate plot of ground situated in a windward position