SuLY 1, 1902.T THE TROPICAL AGRICULTUEIST. 
ii 
TAHITI VANILIA. 
In tlie May number of Chambers ' Journal, 
Mr A McFarlane of Moorea, Society Islandf, 
contributes an inteiestins article on vanilla- 
growiup; in Tabiti, after reading wbii'h one is 
tempted to sigh for the life of a vanilla-planter. 
Tahiti, he says, has the finest tropical climate 
in the world — no hurricanes, no malaria or fevers 
— and a friendly race of natives to live among. 
A man with three or four acres of vaiiilla has 
a competence ; with ten or more he is rich, aiid 
for one who likes to " potter " around among 
flowers there is no life more attractive, says Mr 
McFarlane. So much has been written aboat va- 
nilla planting and curing that Mr McFarlane's 
article necessarily traverses old ground, but he gives 
several interesting facts in describing the methods 
employed in the South Sea Islands. Although 
Tahiti is one of the largest vanilla-producing 
countries, yielding annually nearly one hundred 
tons of pods, the product is the worst vanilla 
that reaches the European market. This is mainly 
due to the native planter who does nob 
give the necessary attention to the curing, 
which is tiie most important work. There 
is no secret about the method of curing, 
although some pretend that there is. It consists 
in alternate exposures to the sun, always under 
dark-coloured blankets, and sweating in the house 
in light tins or boxes. The average price of Tahiti 
vanilla is six shillings per pound, and as Mr 
McFarlane, who is a cultivator and curer of 
vanilla, estimates that it costs two shilling per 
pound to grow and cure, a good margin of profit 
is left for the grower. Most vanilla-planters suffer 
from small itching blisters on the hands, re- 
sembling "prickly heat," which is brought about by 
the constant handling of tlie beans, Mr McFar- 
lane has found a specific in his own case, and 
that is a mixture of equal parts of carbolic acid, 
glycerine and rosewater, rubbed on the hand — 
rather strong in carbolic, we think ; perhaps he 
means carbolic lotion. — Chemist and Druggist, 
May 17. 
^ 
INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION, 
Calcutta, 20th May 1902. 
THE GREEN TEA Bounty, 1902.— With their letter 
of 2nd May, the London Committee forwarded copies 
of correspondence which had passed between the 
Baraoora (Sylhet) Tea Co, Ld. and themselves on the 
subject ot the Green Tea Bounty for the ensuing 
season. The correspondence explained the circum- 
stances which had led the London Committee to accept 
the proposal of tha Baraoora Company to make 
200,000 lb this year and to allow from 25 to 30 per 
cent of the amount to be sold on the Continental 
markets. The correspondence had been placed before 
the Green Tea Sub-Committee for consideration, in 
connection with the preparation of the circular for 
issue to the members of the Association, detailing the 
conditions under which the bounty would be payable 
during the ensuing season. 
Recorded letter of llth May, from the Saorctary o£ 
the Liners' Oonfereuoe, Calcutta, acknowledging 
receipt of the Committee's letter on the subject of the 
establishment of communications with the 
BLACK SEA 
porta with the view of fostering the Indian Tea trade 
with Russia. It was stated that the matter was being 
placed before the various owners and that it was hoped 
that »ome arrangement would be arrived at whereby 
the Indian Tea Trade with Enaaia might be helped. 
Considered, a Memorandum by Mr. 
HAROLD MANN, 
Scientific officer of the Association, reviewing the 
position since the institution of the Scientific Depart- 
ment two years ago, and suggesting for conBideration 
in view of the fact that his agreement would expire 
in another twelve months, certain proposals for future 
procedure in the event of a continuance of his engage- 
ment being decided upon. Mr Mann drew attention to the 
many problems connected with tea culture and manu- 
facture, awaiting full investigation, and dwelt upon the 
practical impossibility of his being able to deal with 
them satisfactorily, single-handed. His first sugges- 
tion, therefore, was that an Assistant should be 
engaged from England, who should be capable of 
taking up more especially the manufacturing problems 
and working them out under Mr Mann's supervision. 
Another important advantage to be kept in view was 
that by the engagement of such an assistant the 
continuance ot operations would be assured, in case of 
a breakdown in health of either Officer. Mr Mann's 
proposals also embraced the establishment of a central 
laboratory, the engagement of a trained Babu to 
work out analyses of soils, etc., and the provision of 
a small experimental station in the Tea Districts 
where observations could be made of the properties 
and results of various fertilising agents, such as phos- 
phates. Altogether, Mr Mann estimated the increased 
cost of the establishment of the complete scheme at 
R12,000 per annum. Accompanying the Memorandum 
was a Note by the Chairman dealing with the finan- 
cial aspect of the proposals. The Association, he 
pointed out, was at present contributing about R5,000 
a year towards the present expenditure, which amoun- 
ted to about R15,000 per annum, but it could not find 
more without trenching on its reserves. The question 
thus arose as to how the extra R12, 000 required waa 
to be found. 
The papers had been previously circulated, and a 
lengthy discussion now ensued as to the practicability 
of the scheme. The consensus of opinion was in 
favour of carrying on the investigations, as much good 
had undoubtedly resulted from Mr Mann's work 
hitherto. It was finally decided in the first place to 
publish Mr Mann's scheme with a covering circular 
letter to the various local Associations and to the 
London Committee, stating that the Committee were 
generally in favour of the views therein expressed, 
provided that funds could be found to carry out the 
proposals. The financial position of the Association 
was to be pointed out and the local Associations asked 
for an expression of their views, particularly as to 
their willingness to increase their subscriptions to the 
Scientific Investigation Fund. Reference to the 
Governments o£ India, Bengal and Assam, which would 
be necessary ultimately, was to be deferred pending 
an expression of opinion from the representatives of 
the Industry. 
It was decided, after discussion, to forward a copy 
of the statement to Messrs Andrew Yule & Co., the 
Commissioners for the Indian 
TEA MARKETS EXPANSION 
Commission, and to inform them that the Managing 
Agents, Messrs. Kilburn & Co., would be ready to 
assist as far as possible any efforts which might be 
made to stop refuse tea going into consmmption. 
The Secretary reported that the new signatures to 
the Compulsory 
TEA CESS 
Memorial brought the area up to 412,236 aorcg, or 
approximately 79 per cent of the total area under 
tea cultivation, The area reported ou 23rd April 
amounted to 409,005 ftcres, 
