Extraction - Pod Cutting Pics + Point of Bleeding?

[dyingtomorrow]

Hi everyone, I have 2 questions for the extraction experts here:

(1) In most of the pics of afghan poppy fields SWIM has seen, it seems the pods all have 3-5 areas around the bulb that are vertically scored with about 5 very close shallow cuts, as though part of a "comb" went over them.

I've read about the different methods on this forum, as was wondering if the way from those pics would be the most efficient, since I think most people would consider afghans to be opium masters?

SWIM considered that maybe it was just a matter of afghan harvesting ease/time efficiency (4 quick scrapes with their little curved tile tool) versus latex return/loss (since they have such huge fields), and that the methods posted here are especially designed to get the most out of each pod (e.g. diagonal cuts on different faces over multiple days)? Anyone know?

(2) I read that the afghanis score the pods 1 day, and collect the latex the next day, but also later dry the whole pod and grind it up, and throw it in the heated 55 gallon drum or whatever.

My second question is what is the point of collecting the latex? Couldn't you just cut the pods (and maybe the stems) off and throw it in the barrel? Or better yet, throw the whole thing in a huge blender, and then do the hot water-extraction type of thing on it? It says they scoop the plant matter out of the top of the hot opium liquid - why go through the extra trouble of just harvesting the latex?

Also, I'm talking about this for the purpose of making morphine. Is the difference whether you want smokable opium or if you are going to make it into morphine? I'm just trying to figure out why people go through all the effort, if the opium just seeps out of almost all of the poppy plant material in the hot water process anyways.

Sorry if this has been answered. I spent some time looking around, and it seems every post has some area it leaves out, so I couldn't find a consistent and thorough explanation of exactly what and why.

If someone could take the time to explain this, I would really really appreciate it. Thank you!