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:-
1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 Angora Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Cases Sivas 60 100 60 200 210 ... Kharpout 100 €0 800 700 625 ... 40 60 100 150 100 ... 650 340 650 550 150 150 150Each case contains about 141 32 lbs.
The finer qualities of this class of opium are said to contain a small percentage of morphine, 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 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.
Cases 1903 Cases 1904 425 1905 1,450 1906 530 1907 890 1908 210 800The 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...
(Signed) ERNEST WEAKLEY.
Constantinople, November 7, 1908.
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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 is under no special Government control.
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