70 



appear on the surface. Death of the leaves, and finally of the 

 branch, is due to the choking of the wood vessels by the mycelium, 

 which cuts off the supply of water and food. 



The fungus is remarkable for the great number of species of 

 woody plants upon which it can grow and produce perfect fruit, 

 being met with on all fruit and forest trees, excepting conifers, 

 and also on various shrubs. Amongst plants specially susceptible 

 to the attacks of Nectria may be mentioned sycamore, elm. hazel, 

 apple, pear, and red and black currants. 



Preventive Measures. 



1. Whenever diseased branches are observed they should be 

 removed and burned without delay, as after infection recovery is 

 impossible, and any delay in removal permits the formation of 

 spores and probable infection of neighbouring plants. 



2. Fallen branches, stored pea-rods, poles, &c., are often literally 

 covered with the bright coral-pink warts of the Nectria, and should 

 then at once be destroyed. 



3. When pruning, it is a wise precaution to protect every cut or 

 damaged surface with a coat of gas-tar, and also to remove and 

 trim the ends of branches broken by the wind or by other agency. 



VANILLA INDUSTRY. 



By J. R. Jackson, A.L.S. 



Some curious facts have recently come to hand regarding the 

 vanilla cultivation in Tahiti and Mauritius. The exports from 

 Tahiti to the United States have been declining, apparently from 

 the inferiority of the product. The small trade that now exists 

 seems to be generally in the hands of Chinamen, who encourage 

 trade with the natives by accepting options on the vanilla output, 

 and ultimately receive the beans in the crudest form and proceed 

 to cure them. The name Tahiti, as applied to vanilla, is said to 

 be sufficient to condemn the exports from the colony, and the 

 American Consul has endeavoured to enlist the interest of the 

 officials in a plan for compulsory inspection and grading under 

 the control of the Government. The matter, however, has not 

 been looked upon favourably by the officials, though it has by 

 many planters and merchants. The Consul therefore warns im- 

 porters of vanilla from Tahiti carefully to examine any beans that 

 they have reason to suspect of being cured by Chinese, as these 

 traders are accustomed to pick up beans that have been rejected 

 by others as totally unfit for market, soak them in salt water or 

 let them remain for a time in coconut oil, and then pack them in 

 the bottoms of tins containing better grades. Chinamen will buy 

 even mouldy vanilla pods and mix them with sound ones. It is 

 stated, however, that there are a few companies of native planters 

 who are trying to put a high-grade vanilla on the market. 



