Peking, Sept. 6, The opium crop in the Suiyuan district, bordering Shansi province Jand Inner Mongolia, has reached the grand total of 20,000,000 ounces this ing to estimates by cometent foreign observers.
An area estimated at 35,000 acres in this remote region has been planted in the opium poppy, and the harvest has been especially good this. year, Although the district suffered from famine last winter, officials nevertheless urged farmers to plant. opium, upon which the largest returns in taxes are made, The revenue from opium-harvests in Suiyuan this autumn to the northern coalition is estimated at $9,000,000 silver. Shansi soldiers have been assigned to convoy large shipments of the drug: to the sea, where it can be shipped to the leading markets of China, Despite the general poverty of the country, there never seems lack of demand from opium-smokers, intentional and to the opium farmers of Suiyuan. In ce-operation with Shansi officials, the commission has constructed a vast irrigation project in Suiyuan, advancing the money to Shansi on Joan, Scmie sceptical observers declare Shansi officials are especially me terested in this irrigation project because of the opium crops which will be served, and that much of the new land made available through irrigation will be planted in opium.—United Press.
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