MYSORE MEMORANDUM.
143
and then made into bundles, each containing twenty-four stalks 12 to 18 inches
long with the tops or agglutinated spikes attached thereto as originally severed
from the plant.
(b) Vellore Ganja—sample in bottle marked (B).—This ganja is imported from the
Vellore district in the Madras Presidency. It is obtained as the "kulli" is in
Mysore, but the tops or agglutinated spikes appear to embrace a large number of
the smaller leaflets. These tops or agglutinated spikes are spread out on a date mat
and packed quite closely together. Another mat is then placed over this and
heavy flat stones laid thereon to compress the drug into flat cakes half an inch or
so thick and several inches wide. The ganja is then made into parcels of two
and a half maunds each, which are covered over with goni (hemp) cloth. It is
then ready for the market. It is not so much appreciated as the "kulli" or
"mulki" ganja. There is a good deal of powdered ganja added in packing. This
is generally due to some of the larger leaflets being utilized; but more frequently
the parcels made up by the cultivator are opened by the " chetti," trader, and some
of the rejected powder obtained from the retail dealer inserted between the cakes.
The rejected powder is a regular item of trade for this fraudulent purpose. The
presence of the resin is not so marked in the Vellore ganja as in the "kulli" or
"mulki" ganja. In many cases I was informed the resin or charas has been
extracted by the application of warm water applied over the mats and then dried to
prevent its becoming mouldy.
(c) Coconada Ganja—sample in bottle marked (C).—The spikes have been removed from
the stalks. They seem fresh. This ganja is imported from the district of Cocona-
dain Her Majesty's territory. When the ganja has become matured branches 6 to
9 inches long are wrenched off. A large goni-bag, about five feet long, to one end of
which another circular piece of goni three feet in diameter has been stitched on, is
provided. Into this goni-bag the ganja branches with the tops or agglutiuated
spikes on, after being dried, are thrown in and two men trample them down. An-
other armful of ganja is then thrown in and trampled down; and so on till the
bag is quite full. The bag holds about 10 to 12 maunds. The upper opening
is then closed in with branches of the ganja plant with hemp cords passed through
and laced to the edges of the goni-bag. It is thus easily tampered with en route.
From the careless manner in which the drug is gathered, the larger leaflets are
utilized. The longer it is kept the darker the colour becomes. The light green
colour observed in the fresher stuff is generally absent in the drug imported into
Mysore. The price is Rs. 3 to 4 per maund delivered in Bangalore. This is the
rate when purchased from the producer (see para. III (b) under Cultivation).
2. Charas.—This is the concentrated resin exudation collected from the leaves and tops or
agglutinated spikes of the ganja plant. Men dressed in complete leather suits pass through
the ganja fields rubbing and crushing themselves roughly against the plants early in the
morning, just after sunrise and when a fall of dew has taken place. The gummy matter is then
scraped off from the leather suits and forms the ganja-resin of commerce. There are other
ways of collecting the resin, either by rubbing the leaves between the palms of the hand or
over a cloth, and then collecting the resin deposited from the leaves, &c., which in that case is
naturally mixed with the chaff. To test the vitality of the drug a pinch of ganja is placed
in the palm of the left hand and pulverized with the thumb of the right hand, and a little water
is then added. If the powder becomes adhesive and can be formed into a ball, it is good. If
not, it is mere chaff, especially if it appears stale and mouldy and is dark in colour and the
drug has lost its characteristic odour.
3. (a) Bhang.—This preparation of ganja is made up of the ingredients and in the pro-
portions noted against each in the
table as per margin. The ganja was
put into 10 oz. of cold water and boiled
for 5 minutes. The ganja was knead-
ed into the hot water with the hand, and
the moisture drained and expressed with
the hand therefrom. The stalks and
seeds were then removed. The residuum
was ground on a curry-stone into a fine
paste and milk added as required to
keep up the consistency. The other
ingredients were then cast in and
ground with the ganja into a fine paste.
The weight of this ball was 530 grains.
The cuscus and cucumber seeds were
ground and kept separately in one ball,
the weight of which was 440 grains.
Both these balls were dissolved in 20
oz. of milk and passed through muslin, and the sediment, which weighed 340 grains, was then
thrown away, as it was of no use. Sugar was then put in and the whole mixture was again
strained. This mixture is enough for two men in one day. One-fourth of the quantity was
taken before, and the other after meals, by each of the two men to whom it was given by me.
No.
Name of Ingredients.
Quantity.
Price.
Grs.
Rs. A. P.
1 Ganja
220
0
0
8
2 Cuscus (poppy-seeds)
120
0
0
1
3 Pepper
120
0
0
1
4 Dry ginger
40
0
0
1
5 Soapu (caraway seeds)
10
0
0
1/8
6 Cloves
10
0
0
1/4
7 Cinnamon
10
0
0
1/8
8 Cucumber seeds
120
0
0
1
9 Cardamoms
10
0
0
1/2
10 6 Almonds
120
0
0
4
11 Nutmeg
10
0
0
1
12 1 Rose
60
0
0
2
18 Sugar, 1/2 seer
2,160
0
0
9
14 Milk, 3/4 seer
TOTAL
20 oz.
0
1
6
Milk, 3/4 seer
TOTAL
0
3 11