Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/451

POP ^npnlse of which is of a blueish cast, are the most successful for propagating the species, and like- wise aftbrd a larger proportion of sweet-oil than the blue seed. Poppies grow in almost every soil, but they flourish most luxuri- antly in rich loamy ground, well manured with rotten dung, and frequently ploughed or turned, so as to render it mellow. The seeds may then be either drilled in rows about nine inches apart, or sown broad-cast, first towards the end of February, and a second time in March ; though the latter process is sometimes followed, for winter- t-eed, in the month of September or October. As soon as the plants appear, they must be caiefully ^eeded, by which means their growth will be promoted ; so that each root will produce from four to ten heads, or pods, containing large variegated flowers. When the leaves begin to wither, it will be proper to extra6t the opium : for this purpose, four or five longi- tudinal incisions, about one inch in length, must be made on one side of the head, so as to cut through the outer or scarf-skin, without injuring the seeds. In consequence ^)f such wound, a glutinous milky fluid will exude, which should not be removed till the succeeding day, when it ought to be scraped otf in- to proper vessels 3 and, in the course of one or two days, the opium will be of a proper con- sistence to be formed into a mass. The opposite side must next be wounded in a similar manner, in order that the viscous juice may be completely extracted. In tiie year 17()(), the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, 6cc. granted thepreniium of filty guineas POP [427 to Mr. Ball ; and also a similar reward to Mr. Jones 5 for their exertions in obtaining the largest quantity of British Opium. As th^ir metuod was nearly similar to that above described, it is but justice to observe, that their preparations have received the sanction of several medical geutlemen, in whose opi- nion, the new produce is in ail re- spe6ts ecjual to the best Turkey opium. 3. Tiw- Argemone, Pkickly, or LoxG Rough-headed Puppy, is an annual plant thriving in corn- fields 3 flowering in the months of June and July. — This weed much resembles the Red Poppy, and grows in similar places, though the for- mer dt-lights more in a sandy soil : hence it ought to be distingui^[)ed from the genuine plant, by its prick- ly seed-capsule, and the black points of its red flower-leaves. POPPY, the Horned, or Ce- landine, CiLelubmium, L. a ge- nus of plants consisting of six spe- cies, four of v^'hich are natives of Britain; the most remarkable of these are the following : 1. The vinjus, Gueater or Common Celandine, grows un- der hedges ; in rough shady places; on rubbish, and unculti- vated ground : it flowers ' frc/m ]May till July. — The herb is of a blneish-green colour, the root of a deep red, and both contain a yellow juice : their smell is disagreeable, the t::ste somewhat bitter, very pungent or burning in the m.outhj and the root is extremely acrid. This juice, when diluted with milk, consumes white opaque spots upon the eyes, destroys warts, and cures the itch. Dy. Withering is of opinion, that a medicine of such adivity will, at some future period*