The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-22

Tor the last three t10usanu years IOrmeu
their attire. But whatever money the h'is-
bandman gains he converts into iewelry,
which forms the real wealth Of the native
landowner. and Is regarded by natives
much In the same way as European
looks upon a bank-accOunt. In times OF
acute distress he can always part. even NJ a
premium, with his wiic's ornaments. The
HindOo religion deI apds that certain orna-
ments must be worn by married women.
When the contracting parties arc poor they
make them Of lead, but directly fortune
smiles favorab!y they are exchanged for
gold and silver. The small farmer lives
With three objects-tbat Is, TO load his wife
with ornaments, to eat of brass pIaiters.
and to be able on the marriage OF his son
TO make grand display. To attain this end
he will suffer years Of deprivation and in-
convenience, and his many years savings
will be wasted ia single week OF jOlli.
cation.
We can imagine how glad must be the
raat 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 laboTs. To the wefghing-station.
IL depends entirely upon the season as to
when the cultiyators can bring their opium
to the Government stations to be weighed.
Asa general rule the month OF April il
the commencement OF the weighing season.
Intimation is tnen given to the opium-cul-
tiyators that they must present themselves
on certain day with their opium.
in order 10 have it 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
eartben pots, which are put III wicker
crates. and the whole family. with burdens
on their heads, make for the weighing.sta-
tions. The picturesque Indian lanes are
crowded with these men marching like
sheen TO their destination. They only
travel during the night. The sultry beat OF
midday forces them 10 seek the grateful
shelter Of the gardens and groves 20 libe-
rally planted along the dusty highways.
Directly bait Is called and preparation Is
made for the daily meal. Alter this is
finished some lively spirit staiis a story re-
cocrtinc the savage doings OF the stranger
who rules the land. With terrible counie-
rances and anxious ears they listen TO these
FABULOUS TALES;
but inwardly they bless the "WDlte race
when they think Of the money he /, about
to dlsburSo.
MANY OF these ignorant cultivators have
never seen in their life European, and ac'
cept with easy credullty anything detrl-
mental to the character OF their governors.
No wonder it is then that the native APP
prOache- the sahib or gentleman With the
most abject fear painted on every limb. lie
holds his breath when be hears BIN speak,
and is ready to faint at the slightest dis
play OF anger or impatlence. Ine>e
sensational stories are generally propa-
gated by rascaily natives, who proht
by the credully OF their country
men in Ordor TO eXtort money. These men
represent that nothing can be done without
the bakshsh or blackmail present. and they
are the agents for the sablb. seat by him 10
collect toll. II The ignorant wretch demurs
his torturer presents picture to which the
torments OF he'll are but tritle. The poor
fellow, aXiOus 10 escape such calamltles as
he is threatened, pays the demand and fur
ther presents hi> friend with atrifie in order
that nothing should 90 wrong.
Early in the morning the weighing and
tests commence. Notice is given TO the cui-
tiyutors, and they proceed to the factory,
ranging themselves in long line before the
examining officer. Some men connected
with the department then mix up the opium
and take out a small quantity for eXamina.
ton. The officer, after inspection. marks
the quality on the side OF the earthen basin
in chalk. The samples are again mixed up
and tested with solution OF tincture OF
iodine. III it happens that the cultivator
has been attempting to
ADULTERATE HIS OPIUM
with farinaceous matter. the solution VIII
discover the deceit. Experienced officers
are alone trusted with this important duty,
and It is expected OF them to be able 10 dis
tinguish 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 knife. II the
opium is OF frst-class quality the color is
a rich brown, and 1t is so stiff that there Is
some difficulty experienced in turning. The
poorer the quality the blacker the color and
the thinner the consistency.
After the opium has been weighed and
filled into separate jars according 10 its
quality, they are sealed up and dispatched
10 the factory, where all The opium is again
mixed up TO Il certain consistency, and
made into balls ready for expectation and
sale at Calcutta. After the opium has once
been delivered into the hands Of the Gov
ernment officer the cultivator has nothing
more to do. He is paid so much by the
pound; his former advances are deducted,
and the connection between the raiat and
closes. " hen the balls are
made they are packed into boxes called
- opium.chests," and zen, down to Calcutta.