,bulletin ,no4 #ba1 ,division of ,botany4 ,,plate ,i4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a4--,,vanilla ,,in ,,flower--,,some ,,of ,,the ,,flowers ,,already ,,grown ,,into ,,small ,,pods4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4--,,vanilla ,,in ,,fair ,,crop1 ,,on ,,bars ,,and ,,posts ,,under ,,shade4 ,,bulletin ,,no4 #ba4 ,s4 ,p4 ,i41 ,no4 #b4 ,u4 ,s4 ,,department ,,of ,,agriculture1 ,,division ,,of ,,botany4 ,,vanilla ,,culture ,,as ,,practiced ,,in ,,the ,,seychelles ,,islands4 ,,by ,s4 ,j4 ,,galbraith4 ,illustration ,,washington3 ,,government ,,printing ,,office4 #ahih4 ,,contents4 ,page4 ,introduction to ,mr4 ,galbraith's paper1 by ,d4 ,g4 ,fairchild #g ,general conditions #i ,starting a vanillery #aj ,preparing the vines for cropping #ac ,pollination of the flowers #ae ,curing the pods for market #ag ,miscellaneous information and notes #ba ,summary #bc ,,illustrations4 ,,plate4 ,,plate ,i4 ,page4 ,fig4 #a1 vanilla in flower--some of the flowers already grown into small pods2 fig4 #b1 vanilla in fair crop1 on bars and posts under shade ,frontispiece ,,text ,,figures4 ,,fig4 #a4 ,hand pollination of the vanilla flower #af ,,fig4 #b4 ,plan of curing house #ai ,,introduction ,,to ,,mr4 ,,galbraith',s ,,paper4 ,by ,d4 ,g4 ,,fairchild4 ,the following paper on vanilla culture has been prepared by ,mr4 ,s4 ,j4 ,galbraith1 of ,mah1 ,seychelles ,islands1 who was for some time associated with ,mr4 ,w4 ,t4 ,swingle1 agricultural explorer of the ,section of ,seed and ,plant ,introduction1 in the preparation of a joint memoir on the culture and disease of vanilla in those islands4 ,as the second part of the report1 which deals with the disease1 has not been completed1 it seems desirable not to delay longer the publication of this part1 relating to vanilla culture1 inasmuch as it is practically complete in itself4 ,although the vanilla is a plant native to ,america1 its culture is now carried on most extensively and successfully in ,bourbon1 ,seychelles1 ,mauritius1 ,madagascar1 and other islands lying in the ,tropics in the ,indian ,ocean east of ,africa1 as well as in the ,island of ,tahiti in the ,south ,pacific4 ,the vanilla industry is a very important one in the ,seychelles ,islands1 and ,mr4 ,galbraith1 himself for many years a successful planter1 is in a most favorable position to write on the subject of vanilla culture4 ,the vanilla is a climbing orchid1 the nearly mature pod of which is the part known to trade and that which furnishes vanilla flavoring4 ,the plant grows wild only in the ,tropics1 and is so sensitive to cold that its culture can be successful only in regions absolutely free from frost4 ,the recent annexation of the ,hawaiian ,islands1 ,puerto ,rico1 and other tropical territory has added to our domain regions which there is reason to believe will prove admirably suited to the cultivation of this plant4 ,the competition of artificial vanilla1 prepared synthetically by chemical methods1 has not proved to be of any considerable importance4 ,indeed1 the price of good vanilla has risen during recent years probably because of the ravages of disease in the islands where it is principally grown4 ,prospective growers will be greatly aided in finding suitable climates and soil by ,mr4 ,galbraith's recommendations on these points4 ,the disease mentioned in various places in this bulletin is the one described in the second as yet unpublished part of the original memoir4 ,it is of fungous origin1 of great destructiveness1 and spreads during moist hot weather very rapidly1 frequently causing total destruction of large plantations in a month4 ,during recent years it has seriously crippled the vanilla industry in ,seychelles1 ,bourbon1 and other islands of the ,indian ,ocean4 ,this malady spreads with extraordinary rapidity where plants are crowded and allowed to intertwine1 and for this reason ,mr4 ,galbraith advises against close planting1 though in regions free from the disease such culture might well prove more profitable than the methods here advocated4 ,without going into details1 it may be unhesitatingly affirmed from the results of ,mr4 ,galbraith's very thorough and painstaking studies that the malady is of such great destructiveness1 spreads so rapidly1 and is so difficult to control1 that it would1 if ever introduced1 ruin probably forever the prospects of successful vanilla culture in our new territories4 ,it becomes1 then1 a matter of absolutely vital importance to keep the disease out of ,hawaii and ,puerto ,rico if it is ever proposed to grow vanilla there4 ,no surer method of destroying in advance the hope of establishing this highly profitable industry could be conceived than that of carrying out the first thought that would occur to an enterprising prospective cultivator1 viz1 of sending to the islands of the ,indian ,ocean1 where vanilla culture is most highly developed1 for a stock of plants to use in starting a vanillery4 ,the only possible way of safeguarding our new domains against this disease is to prohibit absolutely the introduction of living vanilla plants except by the ,government1 and then only after inspection by a competent plant pathologist4 ,fortunately vanilla plants may be multiplied very rapidly if placed under favorable conditions1 and from a small stock of disease-free plants it would soon be possible to stock all the islands4 ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture proposes to secure such perfectly healthy plants for distribution to planters wishing to experiment with vanilla culture1 and it is hoped that meanwhile1 in the absence of any definite legislation on the subject1 public opinion will prevent any promiscuous importation of vanilla cuttings4 ,as soon as the plants begin to yield pods the services of an expert should be secured to superintend the curing1 for which specially constructed apparatus is required1 and to report on the quality of the product4 ,there is every prospect for the successful establishment of vanilla culture in ,hawaii and ,puerto ,rico1 provided suitable soils and climates be found1 and provided the disease be excluded4 ,certainly an industry which yielded to the small island of ,tahiti in #ahig #agb1bie1 to the ,seychelles #bdf1fjj in #ahig1 and to ,runion #efj1efc in #ahib is worthy the serious attention of prospective cultivators4 ,the desirability of publishing a practical paper on the subject at this time is emphasized by the conviction that both ,hawaii and ,puerto ,rico offer suitable fields for the introduction of this industry4 ,,vanilla ,,culture ,,as ,,practiced ,,in ,,the ,,seychelles ,,islands4 ,by ,s4 ,j4 ,,galbraith4 ,,general ,,conditions4 ,vanilla cuttings are said to have been first introduced into the ,seychelles ,islands in #ahff1 probably from ,bourbon 7,la ,runion71 where the plant was grown extensively after sugar began to fail1 about #ahej4 ,plantations were gradually established and extended by the multiplication of these original plants and from others subsequently imported1 and for many years now the colony's prosperity has largely depended on vanilla4 ,if kept free from disease it is a plant of extraordinary vitality2 and here1 where moisture and heat1 its main requirements1 are both ample1 the sort of soil it is grown in seems to be of no great importance1 provided that1 if it be very poor1 the roots are kept well supplied with manure4 ,it is cultivated in the ,seychelles from near sea level to #a1hjj feet altitude1 and does well 7except for disease7 at all altitudes between these extremes4 ,the rainfall is generally about #ajj inches--that is in ,port ,victoria1 which lies low2 in the hills the precipitation is probably from #aj to #cj per cent greater2 and in drier districts1 away from high lands1 where little timber is left1 it must be considerably less4 ,the fall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year1 but a dry spell1 which is necessary to bring vanilla into flower1 is to be looked for in ,july1 ,august1 or ,september1 while the heaviest rains most frequently come in ,december4 ,even where rain has not fallen for some time the air is very moist1 and for want of more exact information on this head it may be stated that1 generally speaking1 in the hills common table salt will deliquesce in a day or two if left uncovered4 ,the range of shade temperature for day and night1 from sea level to #a1hjj feet1 may be put at #ij to #gj ,f4 ,the former is exceptional1 the latter frequent1 especially in early morning when the monsoon is blowing4 ,occasionally #fh may be registered1 but seldom lower4 ,of soils1 three very different sorts may be mentioned1 in all of which vanilla does well here3 7#a7 ,rich vegetable mold1 common enough in forest land as a thin surface skin1 and also occurring deeper in valley bottoms4 ,for a quick growth this is excellent4 7#b7 ,a greasy red clay1 also in fair quantity1 on which vanilla makes good growth4 7#c7 ,coarse quartz sand1 or gravel1 apparently derived from disintegrated granite1 not common1 but met with in considerable patches here and there4 ,though so unpromising to look at1 this is1 perhaps1 the best of all4 ,it gives free drainage to the roots1 and in wet years plants fixed on it are more likely to crop than those on closer soils1 while with ample manuring they grow remarkably well4 ,the manner of setting out plantations in the ,seychelles has undergone changes within the last twelve years4 ,formerly plantations were seen with the rows of vines planted so close together as scarce to leave room for workers to pass between them4 ,the yield per acre under such conditions was sometimes enormous1 but when disease once started in a vanillery thus arranged its destruction was rapid and complete1 so this system has been mostly given up4 ,since the loss of so many close-lined plantations the distance between the rows has been increased4 ,living wood1 i4 e41 small trees1 are used as supports for the vines1 these being festooned from fork to fork2 but many planters have made use of hard-wood posts and bars1 the former being notched on top and the latter laid in the notches1 resting thus from #d to #f feet from the ground1 according to fancy4 ,over these bars the plants are hung 7,pl4 #a71 being looped up as growth is put on4 ,wire is sometimes also used instead of horizontal bars4 ,it is much cheaper1 but otherwise has disadvantages1 notable among which is that it sways with wind and is liable to break the vines1 the curvature being too sharp over such a small round surface4 ,however1 when plants thicken into a mass this last drawback mostly disappears4 ,a third1 and1 as the writer believes1 much better way of growing vanilla1 is now more generally coming into practice4 ,this is to plant each creeper on a tree of its own1 and where land is cheap it is an advantage if these are well apart4 ,so arranged1 the general maintenance of a vanillery is certainly more expensive1 inasmuch as isolated plants require more manure than when the same number are closely grouped together4 ,the work of flower pollination and crop gathering is also more laborious4 ,but more than a counterpoise to these disadvantages is the increased security this method of planting gives against wholesale destruction from disease2 for when so arranged a sick plant can be removed and destroyed with greater chance of this being done before any of its neighbors become affected2 whereas when growths of different plants are interwoven1 either in their roots or shoots1 it is difficult to know when enough has been taken up1 and there is every likelihood of the disease becoming established beyond control4 ,,starting ,a ,,vanillery4 ,to give some notion of how a vanilla plantation is set out and carried on in this colony1 it will be convenient to assume that the tree method of planting is the one adopted4 ,a great variety of trees will serve the purpose4 ,here1 on most properties1 there is an abundance ready for the work2 but of course where this is not the case suitable trees must first be planted4 ,in selecting trees those should be chosen which do not grow too large1 but give moderate foliage 7about half shade7 without ever losing all their leaves at once1 and having plenty of branches from #e to #g feet from the ground1 affording forks enough to train the vines through4 ,no hard and fast rule can be laid down as to the distance trees should be kept apart4 ,here formerly1 as above stated1 vanilla was grown in dense masses with great success for a time4 ,elsewhere it may be advantageously so grown now4 ,however1 it is safe to state that overcrowding in any kind of planting invites disease1 and the farther plants are kept apart the more likely are they to remain healthy4 ,a #d-;foot radius would be a moderate allowance for the roots of a vigorous vanilla plant1 and if #a foot is kept clear around the circle allowed to each plant's roots this would give #i feet as the distance between the trees4 ,it would be difficult to insure the plants being kept distinct in less space4 ,where suitable trees are already growing on the land to be planted1 these can be thinned out if too close1 or they may be left in small lots of three or four or more together1 a sufficient clear space intervening between each lot2 but in that case if one vine of a group showed disease the whole would have to be removed4 ,many trees stand topping1 and it is a great advantage when they do1 for on being cut #g feet or so from the ground branches spring from near the cut part at a convenient height1 and the best situated of those can be chosen to train the vines through1 the rest that grow awkwardly being removed4 ,about #e feet from the base is low enough to allow any to grow4 ,trees being in readiness1 planting may be done at any time of year here4 ,if during a wet spell1 vanilla will sprout all the quicker2 should it be dry1 the plants will delay a little1 but there is no fear of their missing if properly planted1 and the one danger point to guard is where the vine leaves the earth4 ,this part of the vine is burnt through if not shaded with grass or leaves4 ,however1 this also would only mean a little delay in the start of growth2 for though they take some time longer about it1 vanilla cuttings will grow well enough if merely tied to the trees with their lower ends some inches clear of the ground4 ,illustrative of the extreme vitality of plants under adverse conditions1 it may be mentioned that in neglected plantations1 where the vines have been allowed to climb well up into the branches of good-sized trees1 and then been broken in attempting to get them down1 the broken portions1 sometimes partly swinging free1 have remained green and capable of growth for upwards of a year1 sending down long aerial roots #ae or #bj feet in length1 and in some cases where these have escaped injury the broken plant may reestablish connection with the soil and start to grow again4 ,if planted clear of the ground and merely tied to the supporting tree1 it is advisable to tie two or three large leaves round each vine for the distance of #c feet up2 thus shaded the aerial roots quickly burst through the stem1 and1 getting something to cling to at once1 soon make their way to earth without injury4 ,in starting a new vanillery1 where the estate has no plants these are readily purchased here at small cost4 ,from #b to #c rupees 7#ee to #ij cents7 per #ajj fathoms is the usual rate for cuttings1 the fathom being what a man can span with outspread arms1 a good sweep of the vine hanging in a curve between his hands4 ,where choice is possible1 although oldish cuttings will grow pretty well1 it is best to have the plants of recent growth2 in fact1 growing shoots1 cut off close to where they spring from the parent vine1 are preferable4 ,at their point of origin the nodes for some distance are close together1 and though roots will strike from any joints1 they have a natural tendency to do so quicker at the shoot's base4 ,as to the length of cuttings to plant1 opinions differ2 but there can be no question that the longer cuttings produce cropping plants sooner than the short ones4 ,if a #b or #c-;foot branch is planted1 the shoot it gives is invariably more slender and slower of growth than would be that from a #f-;foot cutting1 and up to #aj or #ab feet every advantage lies with the longer plants1 except the additional expense4 ,the question as to whether cuttings of that length are to be planted whole or divided into two or three plants should be settled by their cost4 ,it is usual here to loosen the soil with a hoe where vanilla is to be planted1 and bury the end1 laid horizontally1 an inch or two in the earth4 ,quite as good a way is merely to press the lower part of the plant into the soft soil until it is flush with the surface4 ,on sloping land loosened soil washes away sooner with heavy rain1 and in such situations it is best to leave the ground quite undisturbed4 ,in any case the leaves on that part of the vine which rests in or on the ground are cut off fairly close to the stem1 and an arm full of leaves1 fern1 grass1 or forest sweepings laid on top to the depth of #c or #d inches1 for a couple of feet around the plant4 ,its roots will not need to be mulched for a greater distance than that for some months to come1 and to cover a larger area would be useless4 ,as new top dressings are laid on1 which must be done when the first supply rots down and becomes thin1 these can be gradually extended to allow of more root spread1 till the limit of #d feet radius is reached4 ,if well covered1 the roots do not run much2 only starved vines run far with their roots1 seeking nourishment2 where this is plentiful they mat in and beneath it4 ,being entirely surface feeders1 should any make their way beyond the cover they can be gently lifted and tucked under the decaying leaves1 etc42 but this is a hint that the plant needs a new supply of top dressing4 ,the number of joints laid on or in the soil will vary with the length of the plant1 but should not be less than three for this mode of planting1 while for long cuttings six or seven joints are needed for a quick start4 ,if of sufficient length1 the free end of the planted vine is hung through a fork of the supporting tree1 but it is also advisable to tie it in two or three places to the tree to hinder swinging and chafing4 ,the material used for these ties here is a fiber called vacoa#a which rots in about a year1 by which time the plants should have tendril-like roots enough to steady themselves4 ,when once properly planted1 the cuttings will need little or no attention for some months1 but when the growth becomes vigorous the shoots must be looked after4 ,such of them as have grown clear of their supports are hitched up and1 if long enough1 hung through one of the forks4 ,an occasional tie here may also be necessary1 but in general a leaf or two of the growing part can be hooked on to some other fixed part of the vine1 and in a few days1 unless blown loose1 the tendrils will have fastened to the leaf1 and thus support the plant4 ,shoots must not be allowed to climb very high among branches of the supporting tree1 especially if there be many and close together1 or there will be breakages in getting them down4 ,for this purpose1 when they get beyond hand reach1 a forked stick #f or #g feet long is useful4 ,the fork is worked between the tree and climbing vine1 and its tendrils in succession are broken by pushing and twisting the stick when they are within the fork4 ,the last two or three tendrils are easily broken or leave the tree without breaking1 and care should be taken when the vine is nearly clear to catch the stem of it high up1 within the stick's fork2 it can then be lowered gently without fear of breaking4 ,some judgment is necessary in selecting the fork of the tree through which each shoot is to hang1 a fork whose height fits in with a natural bend of the vine1 if it has one1 being chosen2 otherwise one whose height takes the vine between joints is best1 since if bent at a joint the vine is apt to snap1 especially so when in vigorous growth1 being then full of sap and brittle4 ,in good growing weather--i4 e41 warm1 still1 and moist--healthy1 well-nourished vanilla vines grow very rapidly1 an inch per day being no uncommon rate4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,obtained from a species of screw pine1 ,pandanus utilis4 ,,preparing ,,the ,,vines ,,for ,,cropping4 ,if the plants have done well they should be ready for such preparation in about eighteen months1 more or less1 according to the season4 ,formerly in this colony they were allowed to grow on until a spell of dry weather set in prior to the usual blossoming time4 ,the growing ends were then cut off and all new shoots removed as they showed till flowers began to come or till the season for them was past4 ,when the dry spell proved a long one1 this seemed to answer pretty well2 and1 indeed1 under these circumstances flowers would come in any case1 whether growth was checked or not4 ,but now it is more usual to stop the growing ends some nine or ten months1 in the first instance1 before flowering time4 ,in the majority of cases the terminal bud will push1 and this new shoot should also be removed when #e or #f inches long--not earlier1 else the next to the last bud is apt to grow4 ,after the second checking most vines will shoot far enough back to allow of the shoots being left4 ,these grow on for the next year1 and the stopped branches hang down with their lower ends a good foot or more from the ground1 being generally from #d to #f feet in length1 according to the heights of the forks through which they are hung and the positions of the new shoots1 though these generally spring just before the last bends of the checked branches1 which are to be the cropping parts4 ,the new growths behind these are supposed to drain them of their sap1 and thus conduce to flowering4 ,however that may be1 these checked hanging branches have certainly more tendency to flower than other parts of the vines4 ,flowers take some six weeks to develop from the moment they burst through the buds to their time of opening1 but this period varies in length with the weather1 continuous dryness retarding and moderate showers hastening their development when once started4 ,the growing branches of vines should now be checked again for the following year's crop4 ,these will be less troublesome in putting out inconvenient shoots1 as the plant's sap is more apt to go into flowering branches1 where nourishment is now more needed4 ,could the whole work be performed in a few days1 this change in the direction of sap flow should be done preferably ten days or a fortnight before flowers begin to open4 ,in a large plantation1 unless the hands are very numerous or the shoots have been arranged beforehand so that there is little else to do than cut their ends1 it will take some weeks to accomplish this1 and therefore work must begin earlier or finish later4 ,if the dry spell necessary for flowering has lasted a good while and can fairly be depended upon to continue long enough1 the growing ends may be cut earlier2 but it must be borne in mind that if rain in quantity comes too soon and1 in addition to the stimulus given by it1 the branches intended for flowering have also the sap from previously growing shoots poured into them1 the chance of their cropping well will be much diminished4 ,many a promise of a fine crop is ruined by too early rain here4 ,the country1 climate1 and the planters' skill as a weather prophet must govern this undertaking4 ,an abundant supply of leaf mold should be in readiness for laying on the roots at this season1 and should be applied when flowers begin to open1 or a little before4 ,if previous dressings have been so timed that vines are in a somewhat starved condition when flowering is expected1 the chances of a good blossoming are increased1 but this practice needs judgment1 or a poor quality of pods will be the result4 ,there used to be a story current here1 no doubt with some grain of truth in it1 to the effect that in a very wet season the only vanilla planter who had any crop was one whose pigs had got adrift in his plantation and spent the night in grubbing up vanilla roots4 ,this method of producing flowers is not recommended1 but it is quite possible that careful and systematic root pruning might be carried on with advantage in wet years1 if one could tell beforehand when these were coming4 ,,pollination ,,of ,,the ,,flowers4 ,the work of flower fertilization 7pollination7--for they have all to be fertilized by hand1 and that on the day they open--is mostly done by women and children4 ,the operation is a very simple one1 and an average negro will acquire the knack after being shown a few examples4 7,see fig4 #a47 ,the flower is taken in the left hand1 three fingers being placed at its back and the thumb in front1 the column with organs of fertilization on top being supported against the middle sepal behind4 ,a bit of hard wood1 cut to the size of a toothpick and scraped smooth and flat at one end1 is the only tool required2 this is held in the right hand4 ,to get at the organs of fertilization easily1 the sack which grows from the side of the column enveloping its front and marking the sexual organs is pressed down by the bit of wood1 or this is run through its base1 and the sack torn up1 or the whole sack may be plucked off with finger and thumb1 it matters not how it is laid open1 so long as this is done quickly and without injury to any other part of the flower4 ,the smooth end of the fecundating instrument is then laid flat on the front of the column just beneath the organs of fertilization1 and being pushed up it catches under the flap which keeps the pollen from coming into contact with the stigma4 ,the flap is raised along with the stick till it lies flat against the upper part of the column1 being held in that position by the bit of wood4 ,the stamen1 at first raised along with the flap1 now falls down again in its original position1 and the flap being out of the way the pollen comes into contact with the stigma1 and a slight pressure of the thumb on the stamen lodges the pollen in the position required2 the bit of stick being then quickly but gently withdrawn1 the operation is complete4 ,the whole affair is very much easier done than described1 and with flowers fairly numerous an ordinary hand will fecundate a hundred or so per hour4 ,early morning1 from #g to #i1 is the best time for fertilizing2 but the work may be started with sunrise and carried on well into the afternoon1 though about midday flowers begin to close some and the work goes slower4 ,most plants in full crop produce many more flowers than it is advisable to fertilize1 for other parts of the vines1 besides the checked hanging branches1 blossom in favorable seasons1 and the number of pods which a vine is able to mature properly must be estimated from the plant's size and condition4 ,in the course of four or five years1 though by that time the planted cutting will be spent1 if well cared for it will have grown a large quantity of vine2 and as each new shoot1 when long enough1 sends down aerial roots in its own behalf1 it becomes1 so to speak1 an independent plant and the parent of others4 ,if none of the shoots from a strong growing vine have been removed the mass of growth in time becomes enormous1 and may be equal to maturing a hundred or more good pods4 ,when the supporting tree is stout and furnishes forks enough to admit of the vine being spread out so as to let plenty of air through it the vine may be allowed to accumulate to this extent1 and if it gives1 say1 #bj clusters1 each yielding #aj or more flowers1 #e or #f might be fertilized on each4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a4--;,hand pollination of the vanilla flower 7after ,a4 ,delteil1 ,la ,vanille1 ,paris1 #ahig1 ,pl4 #b74 a shows the position of hands1 needle1 and flower in the operation of pollination1 first stage2 b1 operation of pollination1 second stage2 c1 flower with male organs raised 7pollen masses shown at #a72 d1 flower from which outer parts have been removed1 showing pollen masses at #a1 stigma at #b1 and the gynostemium at #c2 e1 perfect flower2 f1 longitudinal section through male and female organs of the flower before hand pollination1 showing pollen mass in the anther or male organ at #a2 g1 similar section after hand pollination1 showing the pollen mass applied to the stigma at #a4 ,but1 generally speaking1 about #cj pods to a vine is as many as should be left1 and he would be a lucky planter who should average that number4 ,in selecting flowers to fertilize those should be chosen which spring from the lower part and from the sides of the flower stalks1 from which position they grow straighter pods than those coming out on top4 ,in favorable weather1 i4 e41 moist but not heavy rain 7which latter often washes the pollen grains away before they germinate71 only a small percentage of flowers will fail of fecundation4 ,in case of failure1 the flower drops off in three days or less1 but otherwise remains attached to its stalk and slowly withers2 the gynostemium adheres to most pods till they begin to ripen2 thus it is easy to see the number successfully fecundated in each bunch1 and where enough are secured the rest can be broken off4 ,later it is advisable to cut clean off with a knife the flower stalk a quarter of an inch or so beyond the last fertilized flower4 ,some planters plaster a bit of sticky clay on the cut surface to prevent it rotting back4 ,dry lime is perhaps better2 this may be dabbed on with a piece of cloth dipped in the powder4 ,pods grow to their full size in five or six weeks1 but take some eight months1 more or less1 according to the altitude at which they are grown1 or the amount of shade over them1 before they ripen4 ,the indication of ripening is a slight yellowing of the whole pod1 which is more marked near its free end4 ,when under too much shade the change in color is less noticeable1 and many pods grown in such places split before they are gathered1 and for that reason lose in value4 ,to guard against splitting1 and yet gather them at perfect ripeness1 they should be gone over every other day4 ,in removing them from the flower stalks the pods are grasped one by one near their attached ends1 very slightly twisted1 and at the same time pressed aside with the thumb4 ,they must be taken off quite clean4 ,if a bit of the flower stalk comes away with a pod1 as sometimes will happen1 it should be cut off smoothly4 ,any break or crack in the pod itself1 however1 near its butt1 ranks it as an inferior quality4 ,buyers are very particular in this respect4 ,after each day's gathering1 before the pods are started on their first stage of curing1 it is well to sort them roughly into four classes3 #a1 long2 #b1 medium2 #c1 short2 and #d1 split4 ,,curing ,,the ,,pods ,,for ,,market4 ,there are many different modes of preparing vanilla1 but for brevity's sake one alone will be described2 it is probably the simplest1 and appears to be as successful as any other4 ,about #djj of the longest pods are placed in a basket and plunged into hot water 7#aij ,f47 for ten seconds2 this is repeated twice1 the dips being increased to twelve and fifteen seconds respectively1 with intervals of half a minute between each two4 ,after the third dip1 when most of the water has drained off1 the pods are placed in a wooden box or barrel lined with blankets1 and closely covered up with the same material4 ,when lot #a is finished1 lot #b is similarly treated1 and for them the water may be a few degrees cooler1 or the dipping times a trifle shortened2 and so also with lot ,no4 #c1 while ,no4 #d may be treated as ,no4 #b4 ,perhaps it is as well to add that #aij ,f4 is not an absolutely essential heat1 but is about as high as it is safe to go2 while even the longest pods may be adequately treated in water at #agj ,f4 if they are kept in it long enough4 ,an experienced preparer will be guided more by the appearance of the pod after each dip than by any fixed formula4 ,where small quantities are dealt with less heat is needed1 and the above figures are given for a boiler #bb inches in diameter by #ab inches deep4 ,it is best to have good-sized boxes or barrels to sweat the pods in1 those holding #b1jjj or #c1jjj each being preferable1 for the more pods there are together the better heat is retained4 ,the lots 7#a1 #b1 #c1 and #d7 should be kept apart1 a fold of blanket being laid on each if all go into one box4 ,by the following morning they should have changed to chocolate or puce color1 and are then ready to spread on the drying shelves2 but if there is a large number together1 and the heat has been well kept in1 they may be left for another twenty-four hours4 ,a curing house for preparing a crop up to #b1jjj pounds 7dry7 may have the following dimensions and fixings3 #cj feet long1 #ae feet broad1 #ac feet in height of walls4 ,it should be divided into four compartments1 two on the ground and two above1 each being approximately #ae by #ae and #f feet high4 ,one compartment on the ground floor is used as a hot room1 having a flue #b feet wide covered with sheet iron running through the center4 ,if the heat is too intense from this1 sand may be sprinkled on top to reduce it4 ,above this flue and around two sides of the hot chamber tiers of shelves are fixed #f inches apart1 on which the pods are spread to dry4 ,the shelves may be conveniently made of laths1 on top of which mats or canvas can be laid2 or fine-meshed wire netting would serve the same purpose1 perhaps1 better than anything else4 ,the entire arrangement will be more easily understood by reference to fig4 #b4 ,compartment ,no4 #a is the hot room4 ,dotted lines in it and in ,nos4 #c and #d indicate where shelves are fixed2 ,d1 door2 ,w1 window1 etc4 ,the table is used for sorting green pods on1 and is otherwise useful at final measuring time and when the pods are tied into packets4 ,no4 #c is above ,no4 #a1 and is also a warm room1 some heat from ,no4 #a coming up through the floor4 ,the clear spaces in ,nos4 #b and #d have fiber mats spread on them when required1 and on these the pods are handled and sorted as they progress in curing4 ,the worker1 sitting on the floor1 keeps the four lots of pods--long1 medium1 short1 and split--distinct on the shelves4 ,this facilitates the sorting1 the short and split pods needing to be examined sooner and oftener than the longer and sound sorts1 as they dry more rapidly4 ,a good average heat for the hot chamber is #aaj ,f4 ,a few degrees more or less does not matter1 but pods are apt to dry too quickly if the heat is much greater4 ,the slower the process the more uniform and better is the result4 ,as they begin to turn soft and show longitudinal wrinkles the pods are removed from room #a to #c1 and after reaching a certain degree of flexibility they pass on to the shelves in room #d and there finish their curing4 ,if kept too long in either a hot or a warm room the thin ends of pods shrink too quickly1 and this is to be avoided4 ,in a large crop there are always some inferior1 ill-nourished pods1 in which this occurs1 but the last remark will be useful to a beginner4 ,when fully cured the pods are much wrinkled and pliable1 bending easily around one's finger4 ,there is considerable difference in the degree of dryness preferred by different curers4 ,if the contents move easily all along a pod1 without any unevenness being noticed when it is drawn between the finger and thumb1 it is nearly dry enough2 but the right stage can only be learned by experience4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4--,plan of curing house4 7,dotted lines indicate where drying shelves are fixed47 ,when finished the pods are well wiped with bits of soft flannel and then kept in boxes with close-fitting lids4 ,it is better to sort them roughly into lengths as each day's lot is put away and tie up the various sizes in bundles of about #bjj each if the numbers allow of it1 for they have to be examined once or twice a week in order to remove the molded ones1 and this is much more quickly done with bundles than when they are loose4 ,moreover1 it makes the ultimate accurate measuring easier4 ,either at this time or later the different qualities are more exactly separated1 none but faultless pods1 without scar or defect in curing1 being allowed in the first quality4 ,the rest rank as seconds1 etc4 ,the split pods and the pods that have been cut on account of mold are also kept distinct4 ,it is well to keep a crop at least three or four months before marketing4 ,by that time nearly all shaky pods that are liable to mold will have shown themselves4 ,all are then measured and tied up in neat bundles of #ej pods each of even length1 the pods varying in length not more than one-eighth of an inch4 ,the general sightliness of a marketed crop has much influence on the price it will bring1 and whatever whims buyers get into their heads the producer must conform to or suffer in pocket4 ,bundle tying is something of an art1 and a deft hand at it is valuable4 ,sixteen or thereabouts of the shapeliest pods in each #ej are selected for the outside2 the rest are tied up as a core1 being kept in position with a few turns of the fiber tying cord1 while the chosen #af are carefully placed round them4 ,the bundle is tied in either three places1 near each end and in the middle1 or in two places1 an inch or more from the ends1 according to the length of bundle4 ,the core-holding string is pulled out before the final tie is fixed4 ,two-tie packets are boxed as they are4 ,with those of three ties buyers prefer that the end cords be removed before packing1 to enable them to examine the bundles inside and see if the contents are of uniform quality4 ,if kept tied some time before being packed the bundles set1 as it were1 and retain their neat shape4 ,the tin boxes used here for packing vanilla in measure #ab by #h inches in width1 are #d inches deep1 and hold about #ab pounds4 ,each box has a label pasted on it which bears the grower's trade-mark1 the length and number of packets1 their quality1 and net weight1 and a similar label is put inside4 ,as some chemical action is set up when vanilla rests in contact with tin or iron1 thin vegetable parchment paper is placed in the boxes to keep the two apart4 ,the lids are then sealed close with pasted paper and the tins packed in wooden cases1 #f in each1 and thus dispatched to market4 ,,miscellaneous ,,information ,,and ,,notes4 ,a fair crop should average about #ajj cured pods to the pound4 ---------------------------------------- ------- ,pods per pound4 ---------------------------------------- ----- ,fresh gathered 7about74 ,dry 7about74 ---------------------------------------- ----- #i-;inch pods #bj #fe #h-;inch pods #be #hj #g-;inch pods #cc #aaj #f-;inch pods #ej #afj ---------------------------------------- ------- ,the following crops1 produced on one estate during the last five years1 will serve to show how uncertain are the returns from vanilla growing here3 ,pounds4 #ahic 7long dry spell for flowering time in #ahib7 #a1hjj #ahid 7rain came too soon and spoiled good promise7 #abj #ahie 7next to no dry spell for flowering in #ahid7 #dj #ahif 7excellent promise mostly spoiled by too early rain7 #ejj #ahig 7similar to the year before7 #fjj ,expenses for labor during these years would be about #g1jjj rupees 7about #a1hjj to #b1jjj74 ,present price of vanilla 7,june1 #ahig7 in ,london market averages about #f 7#bes47 per pound4 ,the currency here is in ,indian money--that is1 rupees2 nominal value of rupee1 #as4 to #bs41 but the actual value varies with price of silver and at present ranges between #as4 #b;d4 and #as4 #c;d4 ,the day begins at #f a4 m4 and work continues until #e p4 m41 or to #d p4 m4 on some properties2 #aa to #ab is breakfast time4 ,rough work is quickest got through by giving 8tasks10 when the negroes become energetic4 ,ordinary estate laborers are paid #ab rupees 7#c4dj7 per month2 women for crop curing1 etc41 are paid #i rupees 7#b4fj7 per month2 women and children for flower fecundating1 one-fourth rupee 7#g cents7 per day1 the 8day0 being when work is over1 early or late4 ,vanilla packet tying1 #b rupees 7#eh cents7 per #ajj bundles of #ej pods each2 vanilla measuring1 #b rupees 7#eh cents7 for same quantity 7#e1jjj pods74 ,straight-stemmed palms1 if stout1 may be used for supporting the vanilla vines4 ,by driving hard-wood pegs into them obliquely at suitable heights the vines can be hung about them as in tree forks4 ,when long vanilla cuttings are planted near blossoming time1 some of them often give flowers soon afterwards4 ,it is best to cut these off1 as cropping a vine when newly planted lessens the growing power1 and it may hang for many months1 but in a regular plantation vines flowering too heavily may be relieved by cutting off one or more of the flowering branches4 ,these may be planted for the one small crop they will give--#c or #d1 or up to #aj or #ab pods1 according to length and vigor4 ,for this they may be planted close together on low bars and posts1 and need well-rotted manure for immediate and abundant nourishment4 ,the best time to plant for this is a few days before the first flowers open2 if cut earlier many of the flowers will die back4 ,cropping branches may be allowed to flower for two years if they have not missed a season1 but never more than that1 as the pods they then give are invariably very inferior2 the best are on young wood a year or so old at flowering4 ,prunings1 when not too old1 may be set out to rear new plants from4 ,when extending the plantations it is better to plant the shoots from the prunings rather than the prunings themselves1 if they are over #b years old4 ,if flung into jungle1 especially among rough ground1 rocks1 etc41 where there is shade and decayed leaves1 they grow in a wonderful way without any attention and yield the best of cuttings4 ,when shoots are checked for cropping branches1 some of their tendrils occasionally elongate into aerial roots1 and should then be cut off1 or they will keep the branch full of sap and hinder its flowering4 ,short varieties of grass seem rather beneficial in a plantation2 cumbersome weeds should be hand pulled1 never hoed4 ,during early crop gathering1 before ripe pods are numerous enough to make it worth while using the hot room1 they are cured under blankets in the sun1 but have to be taken in at the hottest part of the day if sunshine is continuous4 ,this used to be the sole method of curing here1 and when used now gives excellent results in favorable weather2 but dependence upon the sun is risky1 and on the whole the process is cumbersome and costly4 ,hand trays1 that can be piled up on top of each other and carried between two men1 are used to spread the blankets on1 a fold being below as well as above the pods1 and these are supported on low double rails to keep them clear of the ground4 ,in unsettled weather showers have to be watched for1 and the trays carried under shelter till the weather again becomes fair4 ,if there is a pinch for space in the curing house1 pods in the hot room may be spread two or three or more deep on the shelves and tumbled up daily1 i4 e41 such of them as are not taken off and re-sorted4 ,in mulching vanilla roots1 and especially at crop time1 the plants are much more benefited if the mulch be of two sorts1 well-rotted leaf mold being put on first for immediate action1 and above it a layer of withered fern or the like1 which decays more slowly4 ,when heavy top dressings of quick-decaying manure1 grass1 etc41 have rotted down1 they get beaten away by rain1 the network of roots becomes exposed1 and may with advantage be lightly covered with a thin sprinkling of good soil4 ,obviously it is better to apply this before the roots become bare or visible4 ,the vanilla roots delight in twisting among stones1 large and small1 and flattening against their lower surface when not embedded in the soil4 ,when these are of a convenient size and handy in a plantation1 the root circuit allowed to each vine may be ringed with them4 ,vanilla may be grown on trees of thick foliage if these are of a sort that will stand being well pruned annually4 ,wild cinnamon1 which gives dense shade1 is sometimes used for this purpose1 the branches being nearly all cut off each year about pod-ripening time1 which also lets the sun get at the vines for flowering4 ,the contrast between former somewhat dense shade1 which has grown since last branch trimming1 and the strong light let in by the pruning seems to help toward blossoming4 ,under large1 high trees1 wide apart1 where to plant vines on other small-growing wood between them would make the shade too close1 vanilla may be fixed on tripods of durable wood1 the three stakes being tied with wire crosswise1 some little way from their top ends1 so as to furnish forks over which the vine creepers may climb4 ,high up in the hills here the plants may be grown in this way without any shade at all1 but the plan is only suitable for level grounds or moderate slopes4 ,,summary4 ,the foregoing account of vanilla cultivation1 being the outcome of experience gained in the ,seychelles alone1 and there chiefly in the hills1 may need many modifications to adapt it to different circumstances pertaining to other lands1 and1 indeed1 possibly may be of little use for such4 ,for instance1 in a drier climate irrigation might be needful1 and it would not be necessary with a reliable1 sufficient annual dry period to prepare vines for flowering by checking their sap flow in certain branches1 as it is in this colony4 ,this is not found necessary in certain districts where the rainfall is not such as to keep plants growing continuously1 for they stop growing of themselves and come into flower without coaxing4 ,again1 under less favorable growing conditions the vines would need more nutriment and attention to stimulate growth4 ,these and similar considerations which will suggest themselves to the reader may serve to save a brief summary from appearing too dogmatic4 ,the following conditions of climate1 method of growing1 etc41 appear to the writer to be most favorable to the successful cultivation and handling of the vanilla crop3 ,climate4--,with shade temperature ranging about #hj ,f41 never much above or below it1 and a humid1 still atmosphere2 a rainfall of #hj to #ajj inches or more1 evenly distributed through ten months in the year1 the remaining two months being dry1 with occasional short and very light showers--the ten wet mouths for continuous luxuriant growth1 the two dry ones to check it and bring vines into flower4 ,soil4--,a skin of rich vegetable mold resting on a porous substratum4 ,failing that1 with the above climate1 vanilla should do well on any soil if the roots are kept covered with decaying vegetation4 ,situation4--,moderate slopes4 ,shade4--,small-leafed trees to let checkered sunlight through4 ,plants4--,cuttings #aj to #ab feet long of growing shoots1 which should not cease growing if planted after the dry season1 but go straight on and flower fully in two years4 ,planting4--,either in line on posts and bars1 or on shrubs of suitable size and leafage1 at the risk of wholesale destruction from disease2 or plants well kept apart1 each on its own support1 so that any vine showing signs of sickness may be removed before infecting its neighbors4 ,culture4--,plantations to be gone through bimonthly2 shoots on the ground looped up2 climbing branches brought down2 decayed leaves1 etc41 laid on roots for manure when needed4 ,preparations for flowering according to climate4 ,cropping4--,flowers to be pollinated in forenoon1 preferably such as will hang clear and grow straight pods2 quantity regulated according to mass and vigor of each vine1 but not such as to hinder the start of new growth for more than two or three months4 ,pods should be gathered every other day4 ,curing4--,the slower the better1 beginning in a heated room at about #aaj ,f4 for some days1 then in a cooler one1 #ij to #ajj ,f41 finishing at ordinary temperature2 humidity of air kept down if need be by charcoal braziers4 ,marketing4--,qualities and lengths kept distinct1 made up in packets of #ej pods1 and neatly packed in tins holding about #ab pounds each4 ,labor4--,cheapness and intelligence are of the greatest importance in vanilla production4 ,the cultivator must himself have his eyes everywhere2 the best of labor known here deteriorates quickly if left to itself4 ,illustration 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's note ,minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice4 ,in this version1 the illustrations are placed differently on the page than in the original4 ,spelling was retained as in the original except for the following changes3 ,page #f3 8#b4 ,plan of curing0 8,fig4 #b4 ,plan of curing0 ,page #bb3 8and upon the whole0 8and on the whole0