davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14
THE POPPY PLANT.
HOW THE OPIUM DRUG IS OBJ
TANNED IN INDIA.
The Cultivation OF the Poppy
Under Government Control
Methods of Work in the
Opium Factories.

The poppy, as far as can lie ascer.
tanned, was indigenous to Western Asia
and Southern Europe. Opium is the
dried milky juice that exudes from the
seed polls of the poppy. There are sew
eral varieties of the plant, distinguished
by the colors of the petals, but the white
poppy is considered the best as it con-
tains more of the active principle Of
opium, the vegetable alkaloid, morphia,
than any other variety. The name opium
is from the Greek opion, and signifies
juice. The people of India call it ofee.
yoon, and in the Chinese materia medica
it is termed afoo-yung. In ancient times
an extract was made from the whole
plant, and was called mek-onion, in dis
tinction from the more active opos or
juice from the capsules alone. Frequent
mention of the medicinal properties of
the opium is made by ancient writers,
and from all that can be learned opium
was not used excep: as q medicine until
about century ago.
Soil of a sandy loan nature is best
suited to the poppy, and the richer the
better. There are frequent plowings of
the ground during several months, COM
mencing with the rains in June. The
sowing of the seed is done in November
or December. About four pounds Of
seed are used to the acre. The seed is
moistened over night, mixed with dry
earth and sown broadcast. The plants
are well irrigated and kept clean from
grass and weeds. The growing plant
makes a beautiful appearance, and the
little fields near the villages of mud huts
are bright spots in the almost arid
waste around them. The cultivator
zealously guards his field, as he is under
contract with the Government for every
foot of land planted and is liable to
severe punishment for any failure in his
crop. About the end of January the
plants commence to flower, and continue
to do so till March. During this time
the petals are collected in the following
manner: The forefnger and thumb en-.
circle the stem just beneath the pod, and
with the other fingers kind Of tube is
formed of the hand. This tube is gen
tly raised straight over the pod, and if
the petals are matured they come of.
They are never plucked, as that would
injure the pod. The pods mature in
February or March. When the plants
have been in bloom some time the cap
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

tables, the nature of the exuda-
tions, the manufacture of the petals
into flower leaves and the proper manu-
facture of the drug. No one without
license can cultivate the poppy, and all
Government officers, farmers or managers
of land knowing of illegal cultivation
and not giving information to Govern
ment, are liable to penalty. No one
without license, nor can any licensed
vender sell opium except what he obtains
from the Government stores, and any
cultivator disposing of opium except to
ihe Government, is liable to a severe
penalty, and the one purchasing from
cultivator is subject to q fine and con-
fscation OF the opium purchased. All
orlcers OF the police, customs anu
revenue departments are empowered to
arrest illegal venders and to seize all
contraband opium. There are very exact
rules in regard to the reception, classif-
cation, weighing and shipment of the
opium to the Government factories. All
opium must be delivered to the agent
in whose district it is grown, who ships it
to the factory. All the cultivators,
probably without exception, receive ad-
vauces with their License, and it is on &C.
count of the Government ability to ad-
vance immense sums of money to the
cultivators that has stimulated the culti-
vation of opium. The chance Of getting
a little ready money is great induce
ment to these wretchedly impoverished
people. g.
There are two factories-one at Patns,
the other at Ghazipore. At the factory
the opium is stored in large vats con.
tanning about one and half tons each,
and each grade is kept separate. When
a vat is filed its contents are stirred with
long poles daily until the opium is of the
consistency Of seventy per cent. of the
pure dry drug and thirty per cent. Of
water, when it is ready for ,caking. A
strict order of Government requires that
the opium should contain this proportion
of water, for if half grain more of the
dry drug were used for each of the TO-
600 cakes made daily there would be a
loss of about four hundred dollars day,
amounting to quite sum in years
product.
Here is o room 944 feet long and
twenty-seven feet wide to accommodate
$50 cakemakers, each having a place
assigned him for work, with his number
printed on the wall above him. Each is
provided with brass mold forming the
half of hollow sphere. He has also a
tin vessel holding enough lewah OF
liquid opium the regulated quantity used
in making the shell of cake. Every
precaution is taken to ensure the
accurate weight in every cake of each OF
the Ingredients used in making it, viz.
the dry drug, the liquid, the flower
leaves, water and trash. The shell is
made by agglutinating the flower leaves
with the lewah, and the trash is used
for busting the outside of the shell.
Down the centre of the room are a
number of delicate scales and the pots
for holding the lewah. There is weigh
man and two assistants for each scale.
When the order for work is given each
man takes his place. The vat-room
doors are opened and the opium is
brought out in timed sheet iron vessels
holding twenty pounds each, one TO:
each scale. One assistant takes suff1-
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

fears of the result. You have no expert
enced gunners, and he says it will take
an experienced gunner to hit the man-of-
war"
Griffith had already thought Of this.
His mind reverted to what the deserter
had said, and to change her thoughts from
the coming attack he mentioned him.
Whist kind of a man is he?" she asked.
HE is almost if not quite fifty years OF
age. he is tall, finely formed, and looks
like he might be noble man. There is
something in that mans face and mild
gray eye attractive to me-"
Did he say he deserted the enemyp"
He did, and he claims to be IN Ameri-
can"
Then why do you keep him pris-
oner?"
Because we do not know but that he
may be spy-s very cunning man sent to
betray US, and we dare not put too much
confidence in him."
She sat for several moments, her mind
buoy with the deserter of the Xenophon;
then she turned to her lover and said:
Griffith, would like to see that man.
"You shall. tomorrow. be answered.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

sules become slightly coated with a
fine, transparent white color. This is
a sign of maturity, when the incisions
should be made. There are several ver-
tical incisions made in each pod with a
thin scrap of iron. The juice exhudes
in tears Of a milky white color, gradually
changing to rose red. These are left
on the pod till next morning, when
ti.ey are carefully scraped off and the
thumb or finger rubbed over the incl
sions to close them. The yield of opium
is greater if the night is still and dew
falls. The scraping Of the pods is done
very gently with thin piece Of iron,
and the opium is spatted in the palm OF
the left hand until several ounces are COL
lected,. when it is put into an earthen jar.
There are four incisions made in a pod at
= tune, and this is done from elgnt TO
.welve times during a season. After the
opium is collected it is put into an earth
en- or brass jars, and these are tilted
slightly to drain off the dew passewah.
After the drug has been all collected the
lars are placed in ventilated room ready
TO be turned over to the Government
agent. :,
Passewah is blackish fluid, in ap.
pearauce like strong coffee. If it exists
in any quantity and allowed to remain
the opium is injured in color, texture
and aroma and unsuited for the China
market. Opium is affected by the soil in
which the plant is grown, by the eleva-
ton and climatic peculiarities, by the IT.
rigation and treatment of the plant.
The value of the drug in the Chinese
market is largely dependent on the
aroma.
The whole of the poppy plant is val
liable to the grower. The petals OF the
flowers are made into round leaves by
spreading and lightly pressing them on
an earthen plate heated over slow Ire.
These are purchased at the factory at
rates ranging from two to four cents q
mound and are used in making the shells
or envelopes in which the soft opium Is
hacked for tbs China market. The
dried poppy heads, after the opium has
been extracted, are taken of and crushed.
The seed affords bland, nutritious oil,
which is used in cooking and for burn
ing in lamps. The refuse oil cake is
used for feeding cattle. The seed is de-
void of the sopori6c llkaloids which per-
wade the other parts of the plant, and it
obtains q ready sale in the local markets.
The dry capsules are also used in for
mentations to which they impart seda-
tive qualities. The leaves and stalks of
the plants are allowed to dry on the
fields, and are then coarsely pounded
and sold to the factory under the
'trash" for packing the cakes of opium
for shipment. The trash when sold is
worth about thirty-fve cents hundred.
weight, but cultivators living at dis
tance from the factory use it as ferti-
lizer.
The cultivation of the poppy, the
manufacture and sale of opium is wholly
under control of Government, and the
opium department is as thoroughly Or
ganizcd and efficiently managed as any
other department. The board of revenue,
with the sanction of Government, from
time to time fixes the limits within which
licenses may be given for the cultivation
Of the poppy. In every district there is
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

ard prevent the English soldiers escaping.
But commands and reason we're useless.
Their American blood was up. They had
smelled powder and heard the cries oftheiI
wounded companions, and as one man,
with tremendous yells, charged the barn.
The British poured in a Nolley as they
came up, and man named Hill fell with
bullet in his heart. This only more en-
RACED the Americans and the British
soldiers wisely beat q retreat. They
leaped out of doorways, opposite the side
from whence the attack was made, and
ran for life.
Three who could not get out surren-
dered, and Griffith found his hands full
to prevent his men hanging them. They
released ffty-seven American prisoners
whom the British. were guarding in the
tobacco barn. No effort was made to
pursue the British, for our hero feared
that Major Bridges was only short dis
tance away, and might come on in time
10 capture his small force.
wall, we've met again." said one OF
the released prisoners, coming to our
hero and shaking his hand. Griffith
recognized the man as being the farmer
with whom he had taken dinner. Il told
ye the Britishers would never stop till
they'd got the yoke on US n they're goin'
to grind US down now to certainty"
How did you come here?" Griffith
asked.
Why, you see them Britishers that
tried to mob you fellers we're 80 mad be-
cause they couldn't that they took me.
and have almost scared nv hair white by
threatenin' to hang me-
But you are free now?"
Yes, you hev set me free, but tLsy'll
never stop till they git the yoke on our
necks."
The farmers name was Ezekiel Gross,
and he was confirmed pessimist as Tar
as the war with England was concerned.
Captain Alton had all the Americans
get ready at once to march back to
Manoa. Their wounded man was car
ried on stretcher, and the man who had
been killed was buried in the church
yard.
Tie dead Englishman and the two that
had been wounded were left in charge OF
the old men and boys of the place. AS
soon as all coull be got ready, the new
commander with all the arms and pro-
visions he could get at Belfast, started
on his return to Manoa.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14
POPULAR SCIENCE.
There has been made list of 210 |
birds which inhabit Alaska.

There has been made o list of 210
birds which inhabit Alaska.
One cubic foot of fresh water weighs
1000 ounces or 62.5 pounds avoirdupois
and contains 6.23 imperial gallons.
The experiment of producing rain by
exploding dynamite is about to be tried,
and the result will be awaited with much
interest.
A recent severe case of lockjaw has
been successfully treated in Philadelphia
by the use of choral aided by careful
nutrition.
One of the best varnishes for steam
pipes or smoke stacks is directed to be
made with good asphaltum dissolved in
oil or turpentine.
Colonel N. s. Goss, of Topeka, Kan,
has an oruitnological collection that is
surpassed only by that of the National
Museum at Washington.
The atmosphere of London is said to
be gradually becoming more and more
harmful to plant life, and it is attributed
in large measure to the thick fogs.
The production of metal aluminium by
electrolysis at cost little above that of
tin is what some French chemists are
sanguine of being able to accomplish.
Fresh water begins to freeze at thirty
two degrees Fahrenheit, called the freez-
ing point, but salt water will not CONCEAL
until temperature Of twenty-eight and
; one-half degrees is reached.
The multiplex telegraph, devised by
Lieutenant Patten, is now working six
teen circuits on wire running between
New York and Philadelphia, distance
of about ninety miles, at twenty-five
words a minute.
Among the latest things in electricity
is the graphite battery. Its chief recon-
mendation is simplicity and cheapness.
The sole materials used are graphite,
zinc, salt and water and an entire battery
can be constructed for ten cents. An
other feature is the immediate develop
nent of power.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

cient quantity for a cake, crushes 1t to
see if there are no e1traneous matters in
1t and hands it to the second assistant,
who places it in q pan and hands it to
the weighman, who weighs and gives it
to the boy attendant of each cakemaker.
In the meantime the latter has been sup
Piled with the requisite amount of lewah
and the proper amount of leaves for Il
cake. Having them bv his side. he now
rapidly forms OF flower leaf III the brass
mold the lower half of the shell of cake,
pasting, by means OF the lewah, leaf over
leaf, until its thickness is about seven
sixtecnths of an inch. He allows in so
doing the upper part of some OF the
leaves, which he tears in halves and places
vertically, to hang down outside the mold,
with which he later forms the upper
half of the cake. Having finished
the lower half of the shell by alter
nately placing leaves horizontally ana
vertically, he takes the opium from the
pan and presses it into the she'll, and
covers it with layers of leaves. The cake
is q sphere about the size OF twcnty-tour
pouad shot. When removed from the
mold it is busted with little trash and
put in cup of unglazcd pottery, aid
placed in the sun on brick platform
which has the makers number. Before
'emoval every cake has number and
late upon it, so that its history can be
raced, and by this means every cake
maker is responsible for his work. The
:alsing generally begins at 10 A. N. and
continues till Q P. NJ. About 20, 900
,akes are made daily. When the days
work is finished all the vessels and watts
Ire carefully washed and the washings
saved; the cakes of the day are counted
md compared with the amount Of opium
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

IN opium agent, usually European,
with number OF native assistants. He
grants the licenses to the cultivators,
and every license specifies the amount of
land authorized to be cultivated. On the
back of the license is written the name
Of the cultivator, his caste, the area and
number of his field. where situated and
the quality of his soil. When the fields
are sown they are carefully measured.
From November to March the Govern
ment officers travel through the district,
check the measurements previously made,
note the appearance of the crops, if
water is available for irrigation, if the
fields are free from weeds and vege.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

DURING the last nine months 20, 400
Italians (chieAy OF the less desirable
class, 11.000 Poles, and 17,7OO Hun
garians have been admitted into this
country. It is safe to say that not one
in ten of these 4s, 100 immigrants will
act the part Of honest, industrious and
desirable citizens; and still We go On
receiving such people, careless of the
grave danger that such a course in
wolves. j
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

UI:. KOCH was, until ten years ago, an
obscure country physician. His practice and
his reputation did not extend beyond the
limits OF the little town of Wollstein, Ger
many. a place so small and unimportant
that it is only with much difficulty that it
can be found upon the map.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

Emperor William, of Germany, has
issued book of regulations ordaining,
among other things, that "the distance
between the rows of goli lace on field
officers sleeve shall be .277559 OF an
inch"
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

There are in the United States thirty
five or more colleges of pharmacy or de-
partments of pharmacy of universities or
colleges.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

The cotton crop of America for 1889.
90 was 1886, 600 bales.
The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-14

that terrible battle on the hill, }" she said,
as he assembled the steps.
why, Ola, that was no battle, said
the young officer, with laugh; 1T was
only skirmish, and very slight skir-
mish at that"
"Oh, thought it terrible battle"
They had reached the cosy sitting
room, and Griffith smiled ss he seated
himself beside her.
DO not be alarmed, dearest. he said.
affectionately. I'VE are well fortified now,
and the men we'll armed and fairly drilled.
They are cool and determined, and We
will drive these invaders away. AS soon
as our American army has had time to
recuperate itself, it will come 10 the front
again, and will not be long in sweeping
the English from our shores. The burn
ing of Washington has taught lis lesson
We will never forget. We will now think
moro Of our Government and less about
the political party in power"
But. Griffith. live in such dread
@Of cou se, it is natural that one should
dread siege; yet our forefathers we're
used to it.
it was not for Major Bridges, l would
nave no 1earS, out he Is III cohlnduu-
He can do no more than any other"
But suppose they should force You to
surrender, Griffith. The Xenophon is q
powerful ship, and may lombard US until
you will have 10 surrender"
I'VE would be treated as prisoners OF
war, suppose"
NO, no; We would fall into the clutches
of Bridges, who would under some pre-
text put you TO death. F."
But, Ola, we mnst hope for the better.
Look on the bright side"
She shook her pretty head as she an
swered:
Father (she still called Capt. Gatrell
father is not hopeful. He will not ad-
NIT it to me, but I know he hos great
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19
THE DOLLAR COLUMN

fAdvertisemeuss net exceedine an inch Tor ton
.ines Of small type) In length will be inserted in
ehis column for one dollar per week. ATTY cent?
the dfst insertion and twenty -dve cents each ad.
dittonal ltnsertaOn-paysble in ADVANCE
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19

COLD RING. 6 GOOD PENS CEDAR LEAD
" Pencils. 2 very good Hsndkerchiefs all sent
to any address for 10 cents. to introduce my chesp
line OF goods. 1T. TIMAoNS, Csdix, o,
j3Om3dkw
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19

EOR SALE-The United States and Canadian
i patents, recently issued. for an article Of
Rreat merit aud unity Received medal o. supe-
riority at American Institute Fair, Y. Or will
sell state rights.
37l Fulton st.. Brooklyn, N. Y; Room no
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19

AGENTS wanted. LTBsRAL SALARY PAID.
VO~N ~ At home or to travel. TEAM FUR
NIsHED FREE. P. D. vICKERY, Augusta Maine
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19
A Warming.

CCHOOL OF PRACTICAL CIVIL. MECHAN
- teal. Mining Eng neering, Surveying
Draushting, Architecture, Assnying and Naviga-
ton Open the yesr around 723 Market st San
Francisco Cal. Established 1854. A. WANDER
NAILLEN. Pres Send for circular.
aul8vld
Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-06-19

TIT DwANTEL s2s week and expense.
paid. steady work. New Goods
SAmples free. J. F. HILL b 20.
\'i9nsts. Maj =.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-15
KANSAS PROHIBJTiONSTS

TOPEKA, Kan, August l4-A call has
been issued for the annual convention of
the Kansas state Temperance union. to be
held IN Topeka Sept - 10 Is Every
charCh, sunday school. temperance society
or other organization in symnatuv with
The temperance cause Is invited To send
delegates. President Troutman. of the
State Temperance union. in speaking of
the convention. said: The Higgins letter
VIII come up for discussion along with
other questions ! do not anticlpate that
there will be any divided Sentiment
among the Prohibitionists. or the Repuh-
lcan party either for that matter. In k
the same agitation which has ALWAYS been
lound among office seekers since lSSa The
hepuhAcAu state convention viii endorse
prohibition. IL cannot DO otherwise -
hen asked what the Republican league
would DO, he said that IL was not a oues-
tlon for the Republican league. The
league has nothing TO do with making
party platforms. I believe THAI there are
more people in the Republican party now
VINO are opposed to making the prohihi-
non question an issue than ever before
put they are IN hopeless minority. l told
higgins lew days ago that when the
time come even he would be in favor OF
endorsing prohibition"
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-15

pension bridge that sways in the wind.
while above is the dam at the head or the
fall, and for several rods there is nothing
but rocks and swirling waters that, in the
spring storms, toss their spray over the
swinging bridge
The secretary IS a lover Of nature and is
proud of his beautiful home, and this bridge
over the falls is one of the points to which
he always takes his visitors Down below
the falls is power house from which the
water IS conveyed TO the marble mills
There stands wonderful wall, where a
gorge fully leo yards across has been
banked across with marble. which forms
the foundation for the rear support Of one
OF the work shops.
There will be good fishing almost under
the presidents window, for there are both
perch and bass to be pulled out of Otter
creek, but more than likely, instead of that,
Mr.. Proctor will take Mr.. Harrison up 10
his own pet fishing pond, mile above
the quarries in the mountains.
Mrs MCGUIRE.