ii 



VANILLA 



77 



plant ultimately dying outright or to within a foot or 

 so of the surface." 



The writer recommends Albizzia moluccana as a 

 support, as its top is not too dense and allows of a 

 broken light and sunshine to penetrate to the plants. 

 It is advised to plant the albizzias 12 ft. apart, and 

 they will be large enough in one year to allow a vanilla 

 to be planted at each tree. The branches of the albizzia 

 should be cut off to about 6 or 7 ft. They should be 

 weighted to induce them to grow out horizontally, until 

 they meet with the branches of the neighbouring trees. 



This seems rather a good idea. Albizzia moluccana 

 is a rapid grower, but normally makes a tall, smooth 

 stem running up to 60 or 80 ft. without branches, and 

 is in this way unsuited for vanilla, which would not be 

 able to grip the bark sufficiently firmly, and if it did 

 would soon climb out of reach. As to mangoes, recom- 

 mended by M. Gisseleire, they are usually considered 

 too dense a shade for vanilla, but were perhaps the 

 best trees available in Bengal. There can be no doubt 

 that vanilla would do well in many parts of India, and 

 might readily be grown as an adjunct to other crops on 

 the estate. 



Java. The cultivation has been successful, and 

 a considerable quantity was at one time exported, but 

 later the lower prices seem to have i caused a large 

 falling-off. The pods, which still appear from time to 

 time in European markets, are said to have a peculiar 

 aroma, like those of the Mexican vanillas, but the produce 

 is of a poor colour and often second rate. The greater 

 part goes to America. 



1874 

 1875 

 1876 

 1878 

 1879 

 1880 

 1881 



2435 kilos 



2297 

 443-5 

 373-5 

 234-5 

 139 



1882 

 1883 

 1884 



1885 

 1886 

 1887 

 1888 



1,344 kilos 

 373 

 974 

 219 

 83 

 133-5 

 129 



Polynesia. Tahiti ranks as one of the great pro- 



