46 



mon to observe the gradual decay of the stalk near,' the root whi"<5hie in 

 the ground, and at the same time a remarkable development of the game 

 stalk as it increases in length. Close to each tree, two cuttings are 

 planted side by side in the following manner: — in a shallow trench about 

 an inch and a half deep and fifteen or twenty inches long, is imbedded 

 a cutting as far as three joints or eyeSjthe three leaves being first stripped 

 ofi; the trench is then covered up with dried leaves, leaf-mould, coarse 

 sand, brush-wood, &c. The bed should be slightly raised above the 

 level of the soil in order to prevent a collection of stagnant water which 

 might rot the plants. The remainder of the shoot, or 4 feet long, is 

 tied against the tree. The supporting trees should be quite 12 or 15 

 feet apart to allow sufficient room for the development of the pla.nt, the 

 growth being very rapid. After a month the cuttings will have takan 

 root, and must be carefully kept free from weeds and underwood tjf all 

 kinds. In the third year these plants will commence to bear fruit. 

 Planting takes place in the rainy season ; in default of sufficient rain, 

 the cuttings must be frequently watered. In the c:ise when it is desir- 

 able to plant a field, plain, or low-lying ground, the method in Mexieo 

 is first to thoroughly plough up the land and sow it with maize. While 

 this is growing, a quantity of young lactescent trees, of the fig tribe, 

 make their appearance over the field ; these after a year or eigb'teea 

 months, are large enough to support the vanilla plants, which a.re sei in 

 the manner above described, and from them the finest prodiae* is 

 obtained. 



The method of cultivation adopted in the island of Reunion i& dif- 

 ferent ; the plant being so trained that all the flowers may be withia 

 easy reach of the hand of the cultivator, not so much for facility of 

 gathering the fruit as for the purpose of artificially inoculating the 

 flowers. The plantation may be started in the forester in an open field. 

 In the first case, the cuttings are set at the foot of trees, and the trunks 

 are connected together transversely by sticks of wood or bamboo attach- 

 ed horizontally, so as to form a sort of trellis on which the plant can 

 spread freely. In no case are the trees lopped to allow too much sun, 

 for the plant loves a humid soil and is injured by the direct burning 

 rays. It is under large trees that the vanilla plant is seen in its typical 

 form, vigorous and richly productive. When an open field is selected 

 as the site of a plantation, the necessary supports for the plant must 

 first be grown. For this purpose mangoes and fig trees are preferred, 

 also the Jatropha Curcas, the tree producing the ''physic-nut" which 

 strikes readily from cuttings, and is of rapid growth. 



When these young trees have attained a size sufficient to aftord the 

 necessary shade, cut-tings of the orchid are set in the following mannei : 

 Between the trees and following the lines in which they are 

 planted, a trench 8 inches deep is dug, the cuttings are placed in it and 

 covered with a little leaf-mould, dry leaves, and straw. The rainy sea- 

 son is preferred for this operation, as success in striking the cuttings 

 depends essentially on moisture and shade. When the yoUng shooti 

 begin to grow, they only need to be guided and spread along the trel- 

 lises previously arranged to receive them, and to allow the adventiou* 

 roots to connect with the trench between the supporting trees. In two 

 years the plantation is in full bearing. 



