The Red Cloud chief., 1881-03-31

f1auy ycafs snstsSs
PiSsc6~ wasted in a single week Of iolli-
fcafion.
We can imagine how glad must be
the raiat when the poppy plant has be-
gun TO exude opium, and when his
opium has all been gathered he waits
patiently fcr The order to march with
the fruits of rs labors 10 the weighing
station. Il depends entirely upon the
season rs 70 when the c%uitivators can
bring their opium TO the Government,
stations TO be weighed.
As n general rule the month of April
Is the commencement Of the weighing
season. Intimation is then given 10
the opium cuitivators that they mus,
present themselves on a certain day
with their opium. in order 10 have Il
tested and weighed. In the districts
where the poppy plant is cultivated all
are astir, and grand preparations are
made for a general exodus. The opium
is collected safely in red carthen pots.
which are put in wicker crates, and the
whole family with burdens on their
heads make for the weighing stations.
The picturesque Indian lanes are crowd
ed with these men, marching like sheep
to their destination. They only travel
during the night. The sultry heat Of
midday forces them TO seek the grateful
shelter Of the gardens and groves so
literally planted along the dusty high
ways. Directly a halt is called and
preparations are made for the daily
meal. After this is finished some lively
shirt cfartc n cforv racorptfnn tho say
age doings of the stranger who rules
the land. With the terrified counte-
nances and anxious ears they listen 10
these fabulous tales; but inwardly they
bless the "white face" when they think
OF tbe money he is soo 10 disburse.
Many Of these ignorant c%ultivators
have never seen. in their life, a Euro
pean; aud accept with easy credulity
snytAinx tletrirnental to the character
OF their Governors. No wonder Is il
then that the native approaches the
sahib or gentleman Nth the rpost INFECT
fear painiedon evcrs lmh. lie holdshi ii
is ready To faint al the Iightes st display
of anger or impatiehcc. These nsa
tional stories are generally propagated
by rascally natives. who profit by the
credulity of their cOuntrymen in order
to extort money. These men represent
that nothing IA be done without the
bakshish or blackmail present, and they
are the agents for the sahib, sent bv
him 10 collect toll. II the ignorant
wretch demurs. his tOrturer paints a
picture TO which the tOrments of hell
are but n trifie. The poor fellow, anx-
ious to escape such ca'amities as he IS
threatened, pays t~he-demand, and fur
Their presents his friend with a triile in
order that nothing should be wrong
Early in the morning the weighing
and tests commence. Notice is given
to the c~uitivators. and they proceed TO
the factory. ranging themselves in a
long line before the examining officer.
Some men connected with the depart
ment then mix up the opium and take
out q small quantity for examination.
The officer, after inspection, marks the
on the side of the earthen basin
in chalk. The samples are again mixed
up and tested with a solution of tincture
of iodine. II it happens that the culti-
has been attempting to adulterate
his opium with farinaceous matter, the
will discover the deceit. En-
p%erieneed officers are alone trustedwith
this important duty, and it is expected
Of them to be able to distinguish the
class of the opium rs much by the feel
and sight as bv chemical analysis. The
consistency Of the opium is easily told
by a man who has been long at the
work by simply turning the opium over
with his hand or with the aid Of a knife.
the opium is of n first-class quality
The color is Of a rich brown. and tits so
stiff that there is some difficulty exper-
fenced in turning. The poorer the quail
ity the blacker the color and the thin
ner the consistency.
After the opium has been weighed
md filled into separate jars according
% its quality, they are sealed up and
to the factory, where all the
is again mixed up to 4 certain !
consistency, and made into balls ready
or expectation and sale at Calcutta. |
the opium has once been deliv-
cred into the bands Of the Government
office. the cultivator has nothing more
o do. He is paid so much by the
his former advances are de-
lucted, aud the connection between the |
-aiat and Government closes. When
he balls are made they are packed into
,oxes called "opium chests" and sent
Town to Calcutta -Cdlcuta Cor. San |
Chronicle.