The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-04-09

We can can Imagine how glad must be
the raiat when the poppy plant has begun
to exude opium, and when his opium has
all been gathered he waits patiently for
the order to march, with the fruits Of his
labor, 10 the weighing station. 1t depends
entirely upon the season as to when the
cultivators can bring their opium to the
Government stations to be weighed.
DIsPosING OF THE CROP.
As general rule, the month of April
as the commencement of the weighing
season. Intimation is then given to the
opium cultiva;ors that they must present
themselves on certain day with their
opium, in order to have it tested and
weighed. In the districts where the pop
py plant is cultivated all are astir, aud
grand preparations are made for general
exodus The opium is collected safely in
red earthen 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 crowded 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 llber-
ally planted along the dusty highways.
Directly halt is called, and preparations
are made for the daily meal. After this
is finished some lively spirit starts story,
recounting the savage dOiBgs of the stran-
ger who rules the land. With terrified
couutenances and nuxiOus ears they listen
to these fabulous tales; but inwardly they
bless the "white face" when they think OF
the money he is soon to disbursc.
Many of these ignorant cultivators have
never seen, in their life, European; and
accept with easy credulity anything detrl-
neutral to the character of their Cover
nors. No wonder is it then that the ma
tive approaches the sahib or gentleman
with the most abject fear painted on every
limb. He holds his breath when he hears
him speak, and is ready to faint at the
slightest display of anger or impatlence.
These sensational stories are generally
propagated by rascally natives, who profit
by the eredulity of their countrymen in
order to extort money, These men repre-
sent that nothing can be done without the
bakshish or blackmail present, and they
are the agents for the sahib. sent by him
to collect toll. If the ignorant wretch
demurs his torturer paints a picture TO
which the torments OF hell are but trifie.
The poor fellow, anxious to escape such
calamities as be IS threatened, pays the
demand, and further presents his friend
with a trife in order that nothing should 60
wrong.
WEIGHING AND TESTING.
Early in the morning the weighing and
tests commence Notice is given to the
eultiv1,ors, and they proceed to the fac
tory, ranging themselves in a long line be-
fore the examining officer. Some men
connected with the department then mix
up the opium aud take out small guam
tiiy for examination The officer, after
inspection, marks the quality on the side
of the earthen basin in chalk. The sam
pies are again mixed up aud tested with u
solution Of iincture Of iodine. If il hap
pens that the cultiyator has been attempt
ing TO adulterate his opium with farinace-
Gus matter the solution will discover the
deceit. Experienced officers are alone
trusted with this important duty, and il is
expected Of them to be able to distinguish
the class Of the opium as much BY the feel
and sight as by 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 kuife. II the
opium is Of first class quality the color is
a rich brown, aud it is so stiff that there Is
some difficulty experienced in turning
The poorer the quality the blaeker the
color, aud the thinner the consistency.
After the opiam has been weighed and
filed Into separate jars according to it;
quality, they are sealed up aud despatched
to the factory, where all the opium is again
mixed up to u certain consistency, and
made into balls ready for expectation and
and sale at Calcutta. After the opium
has once been delivered into the hands o
the Government officer, the cultivator ha:
nothing more to do. He is paid so muct
BY the pound his former advances art
deducted, aud the connection between tht
raiat aud Government closes. When the
balls are made they are packed into boxes
called ''opium chests, and sent down t
| Calcutta