VANILLA 



67 



Dutch Guiana. The cultivation has not been very 

 successful, though Vanilla planifolia occurs wild. 



West Indies Trinidad. It has been experimented 

 with satisfactorily, pods grown in the Botanic Gardens 

 being valued at 10s. to 11s. a pound in 1896. 



Martinique. Vanilla was cultivated as early as 

 1839. However, it has never been grown on an ex- 

 tensive scale, and the cultivation appears to have 

 been dying out. In 1899, 973 kilos were exported; 

 in 1900, 273 only. 



Guadeloupe. In this island a good deal of cultiva- 

 tion has been carried on both of Vanilla planifolia 

 and V. pompona. 



The exports for some years are recorded as follows : 



1879 

 1880 

 1881 



3566 kilos. 

 5102 

 9846 , 



1882 

 1883 



6166 kilos. 

 5506 



In 1892 the export had immensely increased, 22,733 

 kilos being obtained; in 1889 it fell to 5935, and rose 

 again in 1900 to 24,276 kilos, valued at 216,910 francs. 



This was distributed between France, the French 

 colonies, and the United States. 



In 1901, 2591 kilos, valued at 43,676 francs, were 

 exported. 



Jamaica. Vanilla is grown to a small extent by a 

 few small farmers. The plant is said to grow naturally 

 in a western part of the island, climbing over rocks and 

 trees. 



Africa Mascarene Islands, Mauritius. The 

 extensive cultivation in this island has been already 

 described. It is mainly in the hands of small culti- 

 vators. It is estimated that there are 3000 vanilla 

 planters in the island. 



The following are the records of export : 



1865 . 



1874 , 

 1888-1889 

 1892 . 

 1893 



4000 kilos. 

 3000 

 6000 

 3700 

 2000 



