OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE VANILLA PLANT. 39 



exposure to the sun to have large^tables, formed on pickets of wood driven 

 into the earth, above which may easily be placed light structures of poles ? 

 or wood of small scantling, so that, in case of rain, they may support tar- 

 paulins or oil cloths over the tables. By the time the Vanilla becomes quite 

 dry it is nearly five months old. A Vanilla plantation that produces (5C0 

 kilogrammes) 10 cwts., according to my calculations, may be kept in good 

 order by ten workpeople, who will have plenty to do when the season of fe- 

 cundity arrives. These labourers will probably be employed on other work 

 during the year besides the Vanilla plantation. 



The plantation requires to be renewed every eight or ten years. But 

 this in a great measure depends on the size of the slips or suckers originally 

 planted ; and, besides, much depends on the locality where the plantation 

 may be formed. 



There are numerous other minor details of things that should be observed, 

 but I believe I may dispense with mentioning them, as the foregoing observa- 

 tions will be found to contain all that is essential to be known of the ma- 

 nagement of the Vanilla plant to insure a good result. 



[The cultivation of Vanilla is spreading, and some of very superior qua- 

 lity has been grown in Ceylon by one or two planters. Some sample pods 

 from the Botanic Gardens at Peradenia lately fetched 65s. to 105s. per lb. 

 The V&hilla plant is a native of the island of St. Domingo, where it climbs 

 to the tops of the highest trees, and is somewhat extensively cultivated in 

 Mexico, in the vicinity of Vera Cruz. The Mexicans have three classes of 

 the pods, which they distinguish in commerce by the names of pompom 

 (inflated or swelled), lis, and simironda. 



In the department of Suchitepequez, in Guatemala, Vanilla is to be 

 found ; also in the mountains of the Pueblo of Pasaco, in the district of 

 Santa Rosa. It exists in a wild state. In Suchitepequez they have com- 

 menced cultivating it. Owing to unskilfulness in curing, it has not yet 

 arrived at a proper state to form an article of commerce. 



The amount of Vanilla imported and consumed in the United States, 

 principally for flavouring cakes, ice-creams, &c, is stated to exceed 5,000lbs. 

 It might probably be grown to advantage in some parts of the Southern 

 States, with a very little protection during the colder months of the year, 

 and perhaps in hot-houses at the North, as is now done on the Continent. 



The following have been the imports of Vanilla into the United 

 Kingdom in the last four years : — 



H>s. Official Computed Value. 



1855 973 — 



1856 4,579 — 



1857 7,543 £33,132 



1858 3,034 9,611 



Besides its use by the confectioners and perfumers, Vanilla is largely 

 consumed by Messrs. J. S. Fry & Sons, the large cocoa manufacturers, 

 of Bristol, for flavouring chocolate. The Spaniards and Italians are especi- 

 ally fond of Vanilla]. — Editor. 



