SPICES OF THE TROPICS 279 



is cultivated in India, whence it is chiefly exported to Europe, 

 etc. Its price in London ranges from about 3d. to 6d. per Ib. or 18s. 

 to 24s. per c\vt. The plant is propagated by the rhizomes or by 

 division of the crown, and is suited to loose rich soil, under partial 

 shade; it thrives in a hot and moist climate up to 2,000 feet. 

 Under average circumstances an annual yield of about 2,000 Ib. 

 p~r acre may be obtained. Cultivation is much the same as for 

 Ginger. The tubers should be dug up as soon as the stems fade. 

 They are prepared for market by drying in the sun, being, as a rule, 

 previously scalded in hot water to check or destroy their vitality. 



Vanilla. (Vanilla planifolia. Orchideae), A large creeping 

 orchid with long fleshy leaves, native of Mexico, introduced into 

 Ceylon in 1847. " Vanilla Beans" are the dried and cured pod- 

 like fruits, so much esteemed from early times for flavouring 

 and perfumery. Vanillin, the active principle of vanilla, has of late 

 been produced artificially, and this together with over-production 

 of the natural article has resulted in making the latter a less profit- 

 able cultivation. The vine thrives best in a hot and fairly humid 

 climate, from sea-level to about 1,500 feet. It requires support 

 in the form of light-foliaged trees, trellises of bamboo or other 

 material, or hedges, etc., and a mound of humous, porous soil or leaf- 

 mould should be placed around its roots at the base. Among the best 

 live supports for Vanilla are Physic-nut (Jatr&pha Curcas), Calabash 

 (Crescenlia Cnjetc), Dadap (Erythrinaj, and the Temple Tree 

 (Plnnieria}. Cuttings of the vine about 3 feet long should be planted 

 against the trees or other supports, and tied up to these until 

 established. At the end of eighteen months the plants should be 

 pruned back to induce accessible branches. Frequently, however, 

 they are allowed to run up the trees to a height of about 10 or 

 12 feet, after which the ends of the vines droop over. 



A crop may be expected in three years from the time of 

 planting. The principal flowering season of the vine in Ceylon is 

 April to May, and the crop is gathered 8 to 9 months later. In 

 heavily shaded situations the fruits take longest to ripen. In the 

 plant's native home, the flowers are fertilised by bees and humming 

 birds; but in cultivation this seldom occurs, and it is necessary to 

 pollinate or " marry " the flowers by hand, as otherwise few if any 

 fruits will set. 



The marrying process must be done in the morning or 

 forenoon, while the pollen masses and the receptive stigma are 

 fresh. The operation consists in lifting the adhesive pollen masses 



