EXTRACT FROM MEMORANDUM REGARDING GANJA AND ITS PREPARATIONS IN MYSORE BY MR. J. G. MCDONNELL, SPECIAL ASSISTANT EXCISE COMMISSIONER IN MYSORE.

I.—I framed the two sets of draft rules to deal with the check and supervision over drugs falling under the Excise Act for both the Mysore State and the Civil and Military Station of Bangalore, vide references quoted in the margin. The new rules (draft) printed and sent up to, and now before the Mysore Government, were originally drawn up by me in 1889, in co-operation with Colonel Campbell, the first Excise Commissioner in Mysore.

For the purposes of the present enquiry I have made it my special duty to conduct personally a thorough investigation again into the whole subject, and the results recorded in this paper have thus the benefit of having been effected by an officer who has had 14 years' experience of this subject, and who has, moreover, been brought in constant and direct contact with both sellers and consumers at Bangalore and throughout the Mysore State during his tours of inspection. . To render this paper as complete as possible I have enlisted the aid of a medical practitioner to give me the help required to dispose of the medico-legal queries put by the " Indian Hemp Drugs Commission."

II.—The following may be accepted as the definitions of ganja and the names under which the different productions and preparations thereof are locally known in the Province of Mysore :— •

(1) Botany.*—It is an annual, generally dicecious. Root, white, fusiform. Stem' three feet to six, or twelve or more feet high in Mysore, erect, simple when crowded, branched when growing apart, angular, pubescent. Leaves, on long weak petioles, opposite or alternate, digi- tate, scabrous, leaflets 5 to 7, narrow, lanceolate, sharply serrate. Stiputes, subulate. injforescence, males, racemose; females, in spikes. Fruit, ovate, one-celled, with a solitary seed.

(2) Characteristics of Ganja.*—The flowering tops of the female plant bearing the remains of flowers, the ripe fruit and seed, the. whole forming with the resin exuded and moistened with dew an agglutinated spike—rather longer than broad—carefully picked off and dried. It is of a dusky green colour and a characteristic odour.

(3) Designations of Ganja, its products, and preparations.—The "Indian. hemp" referred to in the Ganja Rules and by the Indian Hemp Commission is the Cannabis saliva, Linn. N. F. Urtricacece of the Pharmacopceia. llindustani—Ganja; Canarese—Bangi-Soppu ; TamilGanja-Yela ; Telugu—Bangi-iku. The intoxicating native productions and preparations of the plant are known as (1) ganja, (2) char as (resin), (3) bhang, (4) majum, (5) alwa, (6) churun, (7) curry, (8) preparations according to pharmacopceia, (a) Cannabis, (b) Extractuns Cannabis Indice, (c) Tinctura Cannabis lndica, (d) Cannabince Tannas, and (e) Can nabinon.

1. Ganja.—There are three varieties of ganja, which are or have been utilized in the Province of Mysore

(a) Mulki or Sulli Ganja—sample in bottle marked (A,.—See para. II, clause (2), above for a description of the plant and para. III (a) for mode of cultivation, &c. As a rule the tiny leaflets are picked out by band from the tops or agglutinated spikes as they appear when the plant is growing and the leaves are only seen on the larger *branches and stems. The sample sent was not preserved by a professional cultivator, and clearly appears to have been prematurely removed from the plant, as the leaflets are apparent and large instead of being absent. The tops or agglutinated spikes are pinched off after heavy dew has fallen. In the sample sent it has been pressed instead of being preserved as usual in spikes. It will thus be seen that in good mulki or kulli ganja there should be very few or no tendrils at all : the resin, the flower, the ripe fruit, and a few immature seed all combined constituting the drug. The price is Rs. 75 to 80 per maund of 25 lbs. The ganja, when moistened with dew or water, is clammy to the touch as the resin is thus partially dissolved. The tops or agglutinated spikes when plucked are then put into a pot, the mouth secured against the action of the air with cloth covered with a coat of moistened clay and preserved for use. Thus treated and preserved from the action of the air, damp, etc., it retains all its virtues for a very long while. In one chemist's shop I saw the ganja preserved in a large glass-stoppered jar. In another I observed the "tincture" to be kept in a crystal-stoppered bottle, while the "extract" was kept in a loosely covered porcelain cup. In the latter case it must necessarily lose its virtues sooner than in the two former. In out-lying villages, where it is not pressed, it is exposed to the sun for three days, and then made into bundles, each containing twenty-four stalks 12 to 18 inches long with the tops or agglutinated spikes attached thereto as originally severed from the plant.

• Nole.—From Dr. Alexander Milne's "Manual of Materia Medica and Therapeutics," Second Edition, p.49, modified to suit the circumstances in Mysore.

b. Vellore Ganja--sample in bottle marked (B).—This ganja is imported from the Vellore district in the Madras Presidency. It is obtained as the "kulli" is in Mysore but the tops or agglutinated spikes appear to embrace a large number of the smaller leaflets. These tops or agglutinated spikes are spread out on a date mat and packed quite closely together. Another mat is then placed over this and heavy flat stones laid thereon to compress the drug into flat cakes half an inch or so thick and several inches wide. The ganja is then made into parcels of two and a half maunds each, which are covered over with goni (hemp) cloth. It is then ready for the market. It is not so much appreciated as the "kulli" or " mulki" ganja. There is a good deal of powdered ganja added in packing. This is generally due to some of the larger leaflets being utilized; but more frequently the parcels made up by the cultivator are opened by the "chetti," trader, and some of the rejected powder obtained from the retail dealer inserted between the cakes. The rejected powder is a regular item of trade for this fraudulent purpose. The presence of the resin is not so marked in the Vellore ganja as in the "kulli" or " mulki" ganja. In many eases I was informed the resin or charas bas been extracted by the application of warm water applied over the mats and then dried to prevent its becoming mouldy.

c. Coconada Ganja—sample in bottle marked (C).—The spikes have been removed from the stalks. They seem fresh. This gra.nja is imported from the district of Coconada in Her Majesty's territory. When the ganja has become matured branches 6 to 9 inches long are wrenched off. A large goni-bag, about five feet long, to one end of which another circular piece of goal three feet in diameter has been stitched on, is provided. Into this goni-bag the ganja branches with the tops or agglutinated spikes on, after being dried, are thrown in and two men trample them down. Another armful of ganja is then thrown in and trampled down ; and so on till the loag is quite full. The bag holds about 10 to 12 maunds. The upper opening is then closed in with branches of the ganja plant with hemp cords passed through and laced to the edges of the goal-bag. It is thus easily tampered with en route. From the careless manner in which the drug is gathered, the larger leaflets are utilized. The longer.it is kept the darker the colour becomes. The light green colour observed in the fresher stuff is generally absent in the drug imported into Mysore. The price is Rs. 3 to 4 per maund delivered in Bangalore. This is the rate when purchased from the producer (see para. III (6) under Cultivation).

2. Charas.—This is the concentrated resin exudation collected from the leaves and tops or agglutinated spikes of the gauja plant. Men dressed in complete leather suits pass through the ganja fields rubbing and crushing themselves roughly against the plants early in the morning, just after sunrise and when a fall of dew has taken place. The gummy matter is then scraped off from the leather suits and forms the ganja-resin of commerce. There are other ways of collecting the resin, either by rubbing the leaves between the palms of the hand or over a cloth, and then collecting the resin deposited from the leaves, &c., which in that case isnaturally mixed with the chaff. To test the vitality of the drug a pinch of ganja is placed in the palm of the left hand and pulverized with the thumb of the right hand, and a little water is then added. If the powder becomes adhesive and can be formed into a ball, it is good. If not, it is mere chaff, especially if it appears stale and mouldy and is dark in colour and the drug has lost its characteristic odour.
(c)

3. (a) Bkang.—This preparation of ganja is made up of the ingredients and in the proportions noted against each in the table as per margin. The ganja was put into 10 oz. of cold water and boiled for 5 minutes. The ganja was kneaded into the hot water with the hand, and the moisture drained and expressed with the hand therefrom. The stalks and seeds were then removed. The residuum was ground on a curry-stone into a fine paste and milk added as required to keep up the consistency. The other ingredients were then cast in and ground with the ganja into a fine paste. The weight of this ball was 530 grains. The cuscus and cucumber seeds were ground and kept separately in one ball, the weight of which was 440 grains. Both these balls were dissolved in 20 oz. of milk and passed through muslin, and the sediment, which weighed 340 'grains, was then thrown away, as it was of no use. Sugar was then put in and the whole mixture was again strained. This mixture is enough for two men in one day. One-fourth of the quantity was taken before, and the other after meals, by each of the two men to whom it was given by me.

Bhang is sometimes eaten dry without the addition of water or milk. A man will take one and half toles (270 grs.) in two doses or the whole at once as he is habituated to its use or not. " Bliang " is made daily as needed. " Bhang " is made at home and consumed there. " Bhang " is not sold in the bazaar in the Mysore Province. Marwadis, when making bhang (a), omit items 1, 6, and 7, but use milk only at the Holi (Kama) feast and, on other occasions they add ghee.

(b) " Bhangi-Subjee" is that to which " subjee (Ocinsurn Basilicum) seeds" have been. added.—All the ingredients used for bhang (3a) above, except sugar and milk are used for the " bhangi-subjee." Water is substituted for milk. It is a cooling drink, especially in hot weather.

4. Majum.— A recipé for making six maunds of majum is given in the margin. It is that adopted at the Government Central Distillery in this province by the contractor. The ganja powder collected in vending is utilized if not too old. It is broiled in an iron caldron. The ganja and the spices are all then pounded and kept separately. All the ingredients are now sifted, cleaned, and mixed. The jaggery is made into a thick syrup. The granular kind of jaggery is selected, as otherwise the majum will become a hard and ropy mass quite unfit for sale or use. The ghee is then put and well stirred in. While the mass is hot the other ingredients are added little by little and the whole mass thoroughly stirred up again and allowed to cool a little. Before it becomes quite cool the mass is manipulated with both hands and reduced to powder without leaving clots. The bazaar price of majum is 3 cash per tola. In every tola of majum there are 481 grains of ganja. The Government duty is 2 annas per seer (24 tolas) and sells it to the retail vendors at Re. 0-4-6.

5. (a) Ordinary Alwa.—A recipé for this preparation as made and sold in the bazaars is given in the margin with the proportions noted against each. The rollong is kneaded into a stiff paste with water. The paste is then washed over and over again with clean water and all the fluid collected in a vessel till the water runs clean from the rollong. The glutinous matter is rejected and the fluid allowed to stand for four hours. The supernatant liquid is then decanted off and the residuum alone retained. The sugar is boiled into a thick syrup, the residuum of the rollong added and stirred, till the whole mass thickens, when the ghee is poured on and is thoroughly amalgamated. The almonds are shelled, the kernels put into boiling water and allowed to soak' till the outer jacket can be slipped off readily when pressed between the fore-finger and thumb. The essence of rose is then added. If a small piece of the alwa is applied to the tongue and it does not adhere to it, it is a proof that the process is completed. The almonds cleaned are placed entire on top of the alwa after it has cooled. When private parties want ganja added they supply the needful to the sweetmeat-man, who boils it with water till ebullition ensues, the water is then expressed out of the drugs and rejected, and the residuum is put into the ghee and boiled again and the syrup and residuum of the rollong are then added and the process completed as set forth above.

a According to the requirements of each private party needing the alsva. The quantity for adults in ordinary eases is given in receipts No. 5 (b) and (c) in next page.

(b) .Alwa—A recipé for the preparation of alwa for children. (1) One tola (180 grs.) of ganja should be boiled with a quarter seer (5 oz.) of cold water for quarter of an hour, the ganja is then taken in the hand and all the water expressed out of the residuum. The stalk and seeds are then removed. The ganja is now boiled with half a seer ((2 toles) of ghee for half an hour and then strained and the sediment rejected. (2) The sugar is now boiled with quarter seer (5 oz.) of cold water till it becomes a thick syrup. 3 The poppy-seed, dry figs; almonds, and rose petals should be well ground and put into item (2) and well mixed. The other ingredients should be well pounded. Koonkum flower and pachchai-kurpoor should be ground with a little water to form a sauce. All the ingredients are now cast into one vessel and the honey added and well mixed. This preparation is sold at one cash per ball of 51 grains which is a dose for a child eight years old. The ball contains ¾ grs of ganja



(c) Alwa Kamera Jafran A recipe for this preparation f.or adults is given in the margin. (1) The ganja should be boiled well and the water expressed out and rejected. The residuum is then ground. (2) The other ingredients should be pulverized and mixed with the ganja powder after it has been well boiled with ghee. This preparation is sold at five cash per ball of 180 grains, which contains grs. of ganja. The material difference between the two preparations b and c consists in the liquid infusion of the granja after being boiled with the ghee being retained for children while in that for adults the ‘.
sediment" of the ganja after being boiled with water is bodily added to the preparations while the water is rejected.

(6) Churum.—A recipé for the preparation of churun is given in the margin. The ganja is mixed with 61 oz. of cold water and boiled for 20 minutes. The water is all expressed out of the ganja with the hand and the other ingredients are all fried properly on a metal or earthen platter and then ground to a fine powder on a curry-stone, except the cocoanut, which is cut up into minute pieces. The whole is lastly mixed with the sugar. The ghee is first dissolved and then added to the mass and well mixed up. The total quantity weighed about 22 tolas. This is enough for five men for one day, but only three men ate of this quantity-4 tolas (72(1 grs.) each.    It is eaten little by little at  intervals during the day. It will keep for six months. Each tola of chum). contains 16i grs. of ganja.

(7) Curry.—With other ingredients of a native curry a tola (180 grs.) of ganja, is ground on a curry-stone and added to every 4 seer (one lb.) of mutton used and partaken of by the meat-eating classes.

(8) The following are the preparations of ganja according to the British Phartnacopceia with a brief summary giving the analysis, mode of preparation and doses, the medicinal properties of the drug, the antidotes applied in case of overdose, and the actions and uses thereof extracted from standard medical works. I have given at the end of this paper, under head VII, the results of two special experiments made, under my personal supervision, with the native drug and that obtained from the chemist, prepared according to the Pharmacopceia.

* Analysis.—(a) Cannabin, a resin on which its properties depend and developed only in a warm country, a small quantity of volatile oil, extractive, &c. The resin is of a dark green colour, has a fragrant odour, a warm, acrid, and bitter taste, and is soluble in alcohol and in ether and in the fixed volatile oils.

t V)) Extractiom Cannabis Indica.—Indian hemp in coarse powder, 1; rectified spirit, b : macerate seven days, press out the tincture, distill off the spirit, and evaporate to a soft extract.

6 of Indian helm) yield 1 of alcoholic extract.
Dose—I to 1 grain in pill.

t In delirium tremens' 2 grains of extract of Indian hemp given every hour for four times gave relief. L. M. R. '81, 192.
t Extract of Indian hemp varies considerably in strength, consequently the dose should always be small to commence with; toxic symptoms have been produced with 1 grain.
t (c) Tinctura Cannabis Indica.—Extract of Indian hemp, I; rectified spirit, 20 : dissolve = (1 in 20).
22 minims contain 1 grain of extract.
Dose-5 to 20 minims with one dram of mucilage, adding 1 oz. of water.

In prescribing the tincture it should be previously triturated with the mucilage, or the resin will be precipitated by the water.

t (d) Cannabince Tannas.—(Not official).—An amorphous yellowish powder, sparingly soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Soluble in acidulated alcohol.
Dose.-4 to 8 grains mixed with sugar and taken as a powder was introduced as a hypnotic, but its effects are very uncertain.-7T. G. '85, 329, 379.

t (e).—Cannabinon.—(Not official).—A soft resinous substance, generally found as a 10 p. c. trituration with sugar of milk, also introduced as a hypnotic, but the dose (1 grains) was followed by excitement, collapse, and cramps.—T. U. '85; 286; L. M. It. '86, 434.

t Medicinal Properties.—Sedative, anodyne, and hypnotic, has been used with success in megrim and delirium, also in menorrhagia and dysmenorrhcea.. It is combined with belladona in whooping cough, in tetanus, and hydrophobia It does not produce constipation or loss of appetite, on the contrary it restores the appetite which has been lost by chronic opium and chloral drinking.—L. '89, i, 625.

t Antidotes.—In case of over-dose, hot brandy and water may be given, vegetable acids, such as lemon-juice, vinegar, and the like, and the patient be allowed to sleep. A blister to the nape of the neck is recommended to control its violent action.

(Extract half a grain to a grain contiously increased to 4 or 5 grains according to the purity of the drug and the condition of the patient. Of the tincture ten minims cautiously increased to a fluid drachm, repeated at short intervals until the desired effects are produced. When administered in aqueous vehicle, it requires mucilage to suspend it. The effects must be carefully watched lest the patient should injure himself whilst mentally incapicitated by it, as sometimes happens. Antimonals, salines, a blister to the nape of the neck & c may be empployed to control its violent action)
* From Dr. Angus Mac Donald's "Note Book of Materia Medics," pages 522 and 523. t Companion to the British Pharmacopreia, Fifteenth Edition, 1890, by Peter Squire.

t Actions and uses.—Nareotic, antispasmodic, intoxicant. Like alcohol it produces a variety of effects on different individuals : in one a dull heavy state of pleasant reverie, with a rapid succession of unconnected ideas ; in another a cheerful activity with giddiness. Taken as an intoxicant in large doses D. Angus MacDonald says : "it quickens the circulation and exhilarates the spirits, producing a kind of mirthful or extravagant delirium, during which its victim alternately laughs, cries, sings, dances, or craves for food, all the while believing himself to be in a normal state of mind. Sometimes, however, it makes its victim ill-tempered, violent, and pugnacious. It usually produces an inordinate appetite for food, and acts powerfully as an aphrodisiac.

In medicinal doses it acts upon the cerebro-spinal system, causing, in moderate doses, exhilaration of spirits, a kind of inebriation and hallucination followed by confusion of intellect and tendency to sleep ; in large doses it causes stupor. After the the primary effects of a full dose have passed off, the patient is said to be left in a state of catalepsy." Dr. Milne adds that it alleviates pain and subdues spasm, and for this purpose it has been given, but with extremely variable results (it may be owing to inert specimens of it) in neuralgia, chronic rheumatism,  painful menstruation, infantile convulsions, hydrophobia, and tetanus. In the latter disease a few striking cures ihave been achieved, but in other cases it has failed. Spasm and spasmodic coughs are frequently relieved by it ; and some obtain sleep from it who are debarred the more certain soporific opium, owing to its evil effects. "It differs from opium in its effects, chiefly in not contracting the pupil, and in not causing loss of appetite, dry tongue, or constipation." In uterine ha3morrhage it often arrests the flooding and it relieves the pain in dysmenorrhcea.

III (a) Cultivation.—It is grown as an ordinary dry crop. The soil simuld be light and red and very deeply ploughed and well manured. There should be seasonable rain, and when crop is ripe heavy dews. The most efficacious, productive, and certain way is by raising the plant in pits. When specially cultivated a circul.lr pit two to three feet in diameter and a foot or so deep is excavated and well manured with cow-dung and ashes. The plants are made to form a circle round the edge of the pit and the centre is heaped up with manure as required. The stems rise 5 to 7 and often 12 feet high, each as thick as a man's wrist and are supported by staves secured with ligatures from the aloe leaf. In other eases single plants are raised in each pit. The stem is then the thickness of a man's arm, five feet high and as much in diameter. The stem is taken in both hands and twisted at the root just above the surface of the ground to stunt the growth. It is said that this operation produces better and a more plentiful crop of spikes. I here are two distinct varieties raised, one with a dark green and the other with light green coloured-stem. The dark-stemmed variety is more potential in its effects than the other. A maund or two of good first class " kulli Or mulki ganja can be obtained from each pit treated either way. The male plant is profitless and is uprooted and thrown away.

(b) Costs, profits, Government duty, hints to trarler.—A maund of kulli genie is sold for Rs. 75 or 80, while the drug imported and offered by the Government contractor sells at 33i per maund (25 lbs). The former ii all profit as the labour is but casual tending, while in the other Rs. 31 to 4 a maund go to cover the original cost, including carriage (Re. 1 per matincl) to Bangalore when purchased from the Government cultivator in Her Majesty's territory. If purchased from the monopoly farmer it is double that price and more. The former price, plus Goverment duty, Rs. Rs. 181 to 191 per maund, or, say, roughly, Rs. 20 per maund of 25 lbs. The Mysore Government contractor's profits are thus Rs. 121 per maund. But this will all depend on how he sets about making his purchases, whether from the cultivator or Government monopoly farmer and in season. He should make his arrangements ere the crop is picked if he wants to purchase from the producer, while if from the monopolist he should time it, so as to secure his stock just as the new supply comes into market. If he delays, prices rise rapidly, and stocks are exported and he has naturally to pay more therefor than if secured in season. He thus loses a large slice of his profits per maund.

(c) Clandestine cultivation—cause of.—Clandestine cultivation pays well. There is no doubt that it is cultivated in backyards of many dwelling houses, hitlus (gardens attached to backyards), and in other gardens also. This is particularly the case in large towns and villages, where such privacy affords great facilities to do so. The heavy dur.s imposed by Government, Rs. 15 per maund of 25 tbs., and the abnormally low price across the frontier offer strong inducements to commit this fraud on the Mysore revenue.

(d) Spontaneons growth—not wild—Government patla.—It has been and is still often found in all the eight districts of this province growing spontaneously but not wild anywhere in Mysore, as in some parts of India. This spontaneous growth is most marked in towns and large villages. It is found in backyards and in dry fields and gardens. This is due mainly to the seed when thrown away on dust heaps finding its way with the manure utilized in the fields alid gardens, and germinating there after the first rams set in. It is not more abundant in one district than another now. The cultivation is not restricted to any locality. It can be raised anywhere under the conditions imposed in the Government patta. The fibre can be utilized by the cultivator. The drug must be disposed of to the Government contractor less two seers, if so required, for the private consumption of the producer, but not for sale, provided one acre has been cultivated. The drug should be weighed by the village officers and disposed of in one month or it will be confiscated.

(e) Mysore suited for growth—Results in two tanks noted.—The climate and soil of the Mysore Province are well adapted for the production of the ganja plant. It has been found growing even in the Malnad after the heavy S.-W. rains are over. Some first class ganja was raised 15 years ago and later in Chickballa-pur taluk of the Kolar district of this province. This was evidently due to the cultivator knowing when to put down the seed and how to deal with the picking and curing of the spikes properly after being harvested. A trial at Dodballapur in the Bangalore district on the other hand failed as it was harvested prematurely and the immature stuff, about 14 maunds, was destroyed. The cultivator was ignorant of the value of the plant as a fibre producer and failed to utilize even this part of the produce.

(f) Results of Ganja Rules as indicated by statistics of consumption.—The enforcement of the gania rules has removed the open cultivation of the drug and to some extent also to its growing spontaneously. The keeping of accounts has been rendered compulsory and
148 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [APP.
the rules as to their retention and production " true and correct " are rigidly enforced. These returns show the consumption to be on the increase, for if was 2.6,554 seers seven years ago, while in 1892-93 it was 57,045 seers for Ganja and majum.

(g) Causes of rise indicated and improvements suggested.—Tbe rise is not wholly due to either the increase in population or to more persons taking to the consumption of the drug, but partially to these two causes combined with the enforcement of the rules generally for the whole province. In the City and Station of Bangalore, however, this increase is not so marked as in the outlying districts, but the reverse: The Government returns, however, do not at all represent the actual consumption, as 'both the clandestine production of the drug in the Province and the import thereof prevail to a very considerable extent. This is_mainly due to the superior quality and freshness of the contraband " kulli" or " mulki" stuff over the stale and very inferior article offered by the Government contractor. The lack of encouragement afforded to informers and the Very light sentences passed by the Magistracy for this offence greatly conduce to the rules being infringed as also to the existence of clandestine cultivation which is hard to detect and the import of the contraband drug which can be readily done with impunity. The Excise staff is too weak to cope with this evil, and but little encouragement is given to the men to stimulate their zeal. I proposed that the price of opium be raised to that at which it is sold in Her Majesty's territory, and that the price of ganja in the latter be raised to that sold in Mysore. This would remove the inducement of opium, the property of the Mysore State, after being sold to the shop-keeper, being smuggled into Her Majesty's territory ; while ganja raised in Her Majesty's territory will not then find its way into Mysore. Both Governments would be benefitedand each would be restricted to its own legitimate wants and know its own consumption more accurately. To ensure both Governments realizing a fair and just revenue from this source the production of ganja must be worked on the same lines as opium is with special concession to those who want to raise the plants for fibre only. In that case the village Revenue officers should see that Government revenue does not suffer by the disposal of the drug to the consumer or retail dealer, but only to the Government farmer. The surplus crop of drugs should be destroyed after 6 months if not sold to the farmer or exported. Preserved as it is in bulk and so carelessly secured from atmospheric air it rapidly deteriorates and becomes stale and unfit for use as the resin is dissipated. The drug turns black and mouldy and becomes noxious. The matter of equalizing the prices of the two drugs was referred to the Resident by the Darbar, but I am not aware of result. In large towns I suggested that the Municipal and betroi officers be invested with powers of " Excise officers." They might be paid by results in the shape of rewards. Government approved of the step, but local action does not appear to have been taken. Considering that Government have made over several items of revenue to local bodies and in some places also the license fees on spirits, while mohatarfa as a separate eens is levied on drug-shops, the casual aid of such Municipal officials might with propriety be legitimately claimed by Government from such local bodies, especially as this will not interfere with their legitimate duties as the aid thus given will only be occasional.

(h) Preparation of fibre and its market valne.—All that is required to prepare the fibre is to strip the leaves off and sever the branches, leaving clear switches or canes. These are tied into sheaves and cast into the first convenient pit of water and allowed to soak there. When the rind slips off readily between the fore-finger and the thumb pressed against the branch it is ready to be removed. This rind is beaten or trampled with the foot in the water to remove the outer coating. The result is a clean soft fibre which makes excellent cordage, cloth for packing, and bags for grain, &c. The following extract from Dr. Balfour's Cyclopedia (pages 43 and 44) will prove interesting and gives the market price of the fibre in England and Lahore :—

"The hemp plants grow in Persia, Syria, Arabia, and throughout India. In some places for its fibre ; in others, and generally, for its intoxicating products. In Kangra and the Punjab it grows spontaneously and in abundance everywhere in the submontane tracts in the Sutlej Valley, between Rampur and Sanganam, at an elevation of 3,000 to 7,000 feet, but is cultivated for the fibre only in the eastern portions of Kangra and Simla Hills. In 1859 an experimental consignment of two toes of Himalayan hemp was valued in the English market at from £30 to £32. per ton. The price at Lahore is about El5 to £16 per ton."

IV.— Ganja Statistics.—The following tables I and II give the consumption of drugs in the province and the Civil and Military Station of Bangalore for the past 7 years and Government revenue for the same period respectively. The contractor is bound to pay a fixed guaranteed amount yearly which is obtained on tenders. This is realized in twelve monthly instalments. Fees of six and two annas per seer of ganja and majum respectively sold to licensed retail dealers are levied. If a larger amount is obtained by the rates prescribed than that guaranteed yearly, it is retained by Government, and booked as "excess sales" for that year. This additional precaution was adopted from the ist April 1889 with advantage to Government :-