16 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



One of the most profitable and least troublesome cultures of humid tropical climates is 

 certainly that of the vanilla orchid, of which there are several species. The best known 

 is the Mexican Vanilla Orchid, which grows in the States of Vera Cruz and Misantia, Mexico. 



One thousand good-sized green vanilla beans will weigh 60 lbs. ; the same, when cured, 

 about 10 lbs. 



The first fine morning, planks are arranged and covered with quilts or blankets 

 on which the beans are laid after being divested of their stems. The sweating process, as it 

 is called, then takes place and has to be repeated seven times before all the water will be 

 evaporated. Then the beans are heated slightly and placed on shelves to dry and air. After 

 this, they are assorted in lots of 50 beans, graded according to the length. 



In fine weather, the curing process takes three weeks, but such weather rarely prevails, 

 and the curing sometimes takes from four to five months. After the vanilla beans have been 

 cured, they are a cofi"ee color. 



The bundles are packed in tin cases which often hold from 2 000 to 3 000 beans. These 

 cases are lined with so-called tin-foil and a tag is placed on the lid stating their quality, size and 

 quantity. They must be sealed to prevent moisture from getting to the vanilla bean in transit, 

 which would ruin the beans. 



The cultivation of the vanilla bean is very simple. Shoots about three feet long, having 

 been fastened to the trees on the approach of the rainy season and scarcely touching the 

 ground, soon strike roots attached to the bark of trees. Plants form and commence to fruit in 

 three years and remain productive for 30 to 40 years. The plantaticns aie cleared once a 

 year from weeds and undergrowth. 



The chief uses of vanilla beans are for flavoring perlmnery and confectionery, ices, 

 creams and especially chocolate. 



One pod of vanilla ground with sugar is sufficient to flavor a pound and a half of choco- 

 late. 



The fruits in time become covered with an efflorescence of fine needles resembhng crys- 

 tals, which possess properties similar to those of benzols acid. When received through a micro- 

 scope with polaiized light, they are veiy beautiful objects. 



A Road in Cuba. 



