> 10 1903 



fmentof Ajiriculti 



HAWAII AGRICULTURAL LXPLRIMNT STATION, HONOLULU. 



J. G. SMITH SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE. 



PRESS BULLETIN No 6. 



To acquaint the public with what is necessary to be known in 

 regard to the cultivation of vanilla in Hawaii the following paper has 

 been prepared by Mr. Frank E. Conter. This is in part a record 

 of observations made on plants grown here, and in part a compilation 

 from the best works on Vanilla culture, especially Leeomte an:l Chalet, 

 "Le Vanillier;" Galbraith, "Vanilla Culture;" and, Dr. Preuss, "Expe. 

 detion nach Central und Sud-Ainerika." 



Experiments in curing vanilla were made at this Station, using 

 pods from plants grown by Hon. S. M. Damon at Moanalua. Mr. 

 Conter has also visited the Edwards Vanilla Plantation on Hawaii, 

 and has noted the conditions there, and in the numerous localities 

 around Honolulu where this plant is making a thrifty growth. 



The vanilla plant was introduced into Hawaii many years ago, 

 direct from Mexico and also from Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji. The prime 

 requisites to make the cultivation of this crop a success are: the se- 

 lection of a suitable location, at low elevation and where there is 

 protection from the full sweep of the trade winds; and, of even greater 

 importance, constant and careful attention to every detail of cultiva- 

 tion, pollination, curing and fermentation, until the selected and fin- 

 ished product is ready for market. The sole difference between a 

 crop cf vanilla at $1 a pound and one at $10 to $15 is the care given 

 to the crop from the time the cuttings are planted until the finished 

 product is marketed. JARED G. SMITH, 



Special Agent in Charge. 



Honolulu, Aug. 10, 1903. 



J 



