502 VANILLA. 



The gradual progress made is shown by the following figures : 



Year. 



Hectares. 



Produce. 



Year. 



Hectares. 



Produce. 







kilos. 







kilos. 



1864 





13,412 



1870 



334 



18,512 



1866 



223 



15,494 



1871 



593 



25,547 



1867 



218 



16,162 



1872 



1,562 



19,375 



1868 



230 



15,041 



1873 



671 



50,695 



1869 



303 



19,063 



1874 



1,563 



43,959 



The hectare is nearly IJ English acres, and the kilo, a little more 

 than 2 lbs. avoirdupois. 



In Eeunion, vanilla is prepared in two ways with boiling water 

 according to local practice, and by drying in a furnace in the Mexican 

 style. Bourbon vanilla is generally shorter and less intense in colour 

 than Mexican, and commands a lower price. 



The British Consul at Eeunion, in his report dated May 1, 1875, 

 states, " The great demand for this perfume latterly in the markets of 

 Europe has brought large profits to the planters of it, and the planta- 

 tions have multiplied on all sides to such a degree that the next crop 

 will double that exported this year, which amounted to 20,854 kilos., 

 and the quantity which will appear in the market towards the month 

 of August next is calculated at about 40,000 kilos. Unless circum- 

 stances arise which are at present unforeseen, and also by reason of 

 the newness of some of the plantations, the colony can produce in two 

 or three years from 50,000 to 60,000 kilos, of vanilla. I learn that 

 this cultivation is also extensively carried on in Madagascar and 

 Mauritius, and it is feared by persons interested that this extended 

 cultivation will create a supply too great for the demand, or, in other 

 words, that prices will go down." 



Vanilla is cultivated more particularly by the small proprietors 

 than by the great. Its produce assists a part of the population who 

 are averse to work, and the small extent of whose lands has not 

 allowed them hitherto to think of attempting a cultivation like that 

 of the sugar-cane, maize, manioc, or cofiee, which would require the 

 assistance of labourers or field-hands. Provided the soil be fertile, 

 moist, and shaded, it needs but a small space to accommodate thousands 

 of vanilla plants, and the produce, being of considerable value, yields 

 to the cultivator a profit which no other plant on the island can give. 

 The crop of Eeunion in 1864 sold at an average of 50s. the pound, 

 therefore a sum of 74,000Z. was circulated, principally among the 

 small planters and coloured population. It would be rash to expect 

 such prices in future, but even admitting a reduction to 30s. the 

 pound, it would still be advantageous to continue this cultivation. 



For exportation in good condition, vanilla should be packed in tins 

 well soldered, in quantities of about 10 lbs. 



In December, 1868, when the market was glutted, vanilla realised 

 but 6s. a pound : subsequently it went up at a bound. It was 15s. 

 per lb. in March, 1869 ; 28s. per lb. in August, 1871 ; 45s. in August, 

 1873 ; 57s. to 60s. in 1875 ; and now it is quoted at 20s. to 40s. 



