52 SPICES 



CHAP. 



The period during which fertilisation can be carried 

 on and the number of flowers which can be fertilised 

 during the period are shown by the returns of the 

 number of flowers fertilised in a vanillery at Mayotte, 

 in 1895. 



From June 1 to 20 . . . 5-280 



June 21 to July 20 . . . 8-820 



July 21 to Aug. 20 . . . 233-150 



Aug. 21 to Sept. 20 . . . 1-209 -640 



Sept, 21 to Oct. 20 . . . 524-340 



Total . . 1-981-230 



Thus in this region August to September gives the 

 highest return of flowering (Wildeman). 



The importance of the suitability of the weather 

 during the flowering and fruiting season is shown by the 

 returns given by Dr. Galbraith from a plantation in the 

 Seychelles. 



1893. (Flowering season in 1892, a long dry spell) . 1800 Ib. 



1894. (Continuous rains) . . . . . 120 



1895. (Result of previous year's rain) . . . 40 



1896. (Early rains after fine weather) . . . 500 



1897. (Early rains after fine weather) ... 600 



FRUITING 



After fertilisation the ovary commences to grow and 

 in about a month has attained nearly the size of a ripe 

 fruit. It takes, however, about four months to become 

 fully ripe. Macfarlane gives nine as the period required 

 for ripening. Delteil says six to seven in Bourbon, or in 

 Cochin-China three to four. In the Straits Settlements 

 I find it takes about four. Delteil considers this quicker 

 ripening unsatisfactory, the fruits being smaller and less 

 powerfully scented. Probably much depends on the 

 weather at the time. I found in Singapore that heavy 

 storms of rain seriously affected the ripening of the fruit, 

 often causing them to fall unripe, and the ripening 

 season, January and February, is unfortunately usually 

 the wettest time of the year in this region. 



