2

lasting from the 22nd August to the 6th October 1893, and a second tour, devoted
chiefly to the examination of witnesses, lasting from the 25th October 1893 till
the 25th April 1894. From this last date till August 6th, the subject was dis-
cussed by the members of the Commission, and the report was drawn up.

                                              I.—CULTIVATION.

   Information obtained as to the spontaneous
growth of the hemp plant.

      3. The information obtained by the Commission as to the existence, pre-
valence, and character of the sponta-
neous growth of the hemp plant shows
that, except in a tract which may be gener-
ally defined as the area that lies within 40 or 50 miles of the foot of the
Himalayas, the hemp plant does not grow wild, though there are two
areas in which the spontaneous growth is of some importance. One of these
areas is in the North-Western Provinces, and the second consists of the
country between the Ganges and the Bhagirati on one side, and the Eastern
Hill Tracts stretching down to Calcutta on the other. The plant grows wild
throughout the Himalayas from Kashmir to the extreme east of Assam, though
it probably disappears at a higher altitude than 10,000 feet. It is generally
found in mountainous regions and in the lower slopes of the hills, where
it probably springs from seeds carried down from the mountains. In the
populous parts of the Sub-Himalayan Tracts and in the valleys of Assam the
wild growth is kept up in a great measure by fresh importation of seed from
the ganja and bhang which are consumed by the people, and this is true also,
though in a limited degree, of the mountain and hill ranges. The plant is
hardy when once established, but would probably not long survive unaided in the
ow country.

               Extent of cultivation.

      4. The extent of cultivation and the total area of hemp cultivation in
India are given in the following table
taken from paragraph 150 of the Report,
in which the area is given as far as it has been possible to state definite
figures:—

Extent, either ascertained or estimated, of cultivation in the various Provinces
and States.