307
2
The percentage of morphine contained in this class of opium varies from year to year, as it also does according to the districts in which it is produced.
On an average, however, it is estimated that the opium from the Broussa districts contains about 11 per cent. of morphine, whilst that of the other districts should yield from 9.5 to about 11 per cent.
"Soft Shipping" opium: Of a finer texture and lighter colour than "Druggist' opium; this class has a low percentage of morphine. The following are the districts of Asia Minor where the poppy which yields this class of opium is grown :-
Angora Province: Yozgat, Kaisery.
Sivas Province: Zilé, Tokat, Amasia.
Kharpout Province: Malatia, Kharpout,
The total annual yield of "Soft Shipping" opium is considerably less than that of the "Druggist" class, and the following figures give approximately the number of cases obtained since 1903 :-
3
presumably, finds its way to China, Japan and Cuba. About 1,000 cases of "Soft Shipping" opium were bought some two years ago for the account of the Japanese Government. There are no direct shipments, however, from Turkey to China.
The demand for Turkish opium appears to be a comparatively limited one, and, therefore, there is no great encouragement for an increase in the present production,
The cultivation and sale of opium under no special Government control.
(Signed) ERNEST WEAKLEY.
Constantinople, November 7, 1908.
1908.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
Cases.
Cases.
Cases.
Cases.
Cases.
Cases.
Angora Sivas
60
100
40
100
CO
60
200
800
100
700
150
340
Kharpout
210
625
100
650
150
550
Each case contains about 141·32 lbs.
The finer qualities of this class of opium are said to contain a small percentage of opium, and are supposed to be purchased principally with the object of their being blended with the Persian and such varieties as are used for smoking. The second quality is used by druggists.
A special quality of opium is that grown in the Salonica district, which, whilst containing a high percentage of morphine-from 12 to 12.5 per cent.--is equal, if not superior, in texture and colour to the "Soft Shipping" quality.
The districts in the Salonica Province where this opium is produced are the following:-
Komanovo, Skopi, Belissa, Ishtib, Tikfish, Perlepe, Petrij, Serres, Stromnitza, Kotchana, Arabovitz.
The quantity produced was, in--
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
Cases.
Cases.
425
1,450
Cases.
530
Cases.
890
Cases.
210
Cases.
800
The winter sowings of the poppy seed usually commence in October, and spring sowings cannot take place after March. The opium is collected in May in the low lying districts, and in June and July in the high lands.
Export.
Constantinople, Smyrna and Salonica are the ports to which most of the opium grown in Turkey is brought, and from which it is exported.
Most of the "Druggist" variety is shipped direct to the United States, a small quantity being occasionally bought for shipment to Java.
The second qualities of "Soft Shipping" are sent to London and the Continent, and from there to the United States.
The first quality of "Soft Shipping" is exported to London, and from there,