( 17 )
found to be just over 0 . 6 gramme, while the average weight of gánjá obtained
from each plant was about three ounces. Now three ounces 1,426 . 5 grains
of gánjá, representing 475 . 5 grains of the powder to which gánjá is reduced
before being smoked, which quantity would yield 111 5 grains of resinous
substance to alcohol. Now 0 . 6 gramme=9 . 1 grains of charas which would
yield to alcohol seven grains of pure resin. It would seem from this calculation
that over eight per cent. of the resin proper must inevitably be lost in
this way. And it has to be pointed out that the three ounces of gánjá obtained
from each. plant by the process in question is in excess of the average yield.
According to Mr. Kerr's calculations, which I have repeated, and with which I
agree, the yield per plant does not average more than two-and-a-half ounces.
The loss of resin under the method of manufacture pursued should therefore
amount to nearly ten (9 7) per cent., that is to say, about one-tenth of the really
active part of the plant is lost during the preparation of gánjá. The percent-
age given might be too high, for on examining the feet of the cultivators I noticed
that the coating of resin on the soles did not increase in thickness beyond a certain
point, and that after the first half-hour perhaps as much resin as was taken up
by their feet from one plant afterwards became attached to another. At the
same time the average loss, as derived from the plants manipulated by me,
is undoubtedly put too low ; in the first place, from the nature of the experiment,
of which the estimation now given was but a secondary result, my endeavour
was to lose as little, not to remove as much, as possible of the resin in this
way ; further, the weight given only refers to what it was possible to remove
from the hands without the use of soap and water, and. much was necessarily
left unestimated. There is therefore every reason to believe that at least
10 per cent. of the resin is lost from the plant during the process of manufacture
of gd»jci.
It is difficult to see what could be done to prevent the loss without altering
the system of manufacture, and in a case of this kind, where an elaborate system
of manufacture, sound in principle, and, but for this defect, satisfactory in
results, passes unchanged from one generation of cultivators to another, it is
not to be expected that such a proposal, from one who has merely watched the
process of manufacture for a single season, would find any favour in the eyes
of either dealer or consumer, who more than the cultivator are the people to
whose verdict it must be submitted. In connection with the experiment which
incidentally led to the discovery of this considerable waste, a possible remedy
was, however, apparently indicated. The experiment itself will be described in a
subsequent chapter ; it is sufficient to say here that it was made with a plant
reaped. at the stage when in the opinion of the cultivator the plant is best fitted
for manufacture. At this stage the plant has become as rich in resinous exuda-
tion as it will ever become, and no more. The flowering-tops and all the small
leaves are still green. If left a few days longer, the small leaves wither like those
below, though the resin is still almost as copious on and about the flowers. The
leaves in this stage are so much more easily removed than before that one would
expect this to be the best stage for gathering the plant. Experience, however,
shows the manufacturer that, though the leaves are more easily removed, so also
are the flow er-spikes instead. of agglutinating into the masses forming ganjd heads
they fall off. For the purposes of the experiment in question, however, it was
found that this stage, which to the cultivator is that of over-ripeness, was
the most suitable, and it was seen also that the flower-tops could be then
manipulated with far less waste of charas. Should it ever become necessary
for Government to take the place of private enterprise in growing hemp, so
as to supply its medical stores with the invaluable medicine which the hemp
plant yields, it is possible that the process referred to may be found practicable
and advisable.
CHAPTER VIII.—THE WEIGHT AND BULK OF GANJA.
When gdn,Kt has been manufactured by the cultivators, it is stored by them
till they succeed in getting it sold. As long as it is in their custody it is, except
in the case of the round' sort, kept in slack bundles or altogether loose.