II 
VANILLA 
39 
covered with hairs had found their way to the manures where 
previously no roots were found. 
Propagating . — The vanilla plant is always propa- 
gated by cuttings. Though it has been raised from 
seed, in any ordinary case it would not be worth while 
to attempt to grow it from seed, as it is easy enough 
to propagate from cuttings. 
There is some difference in the length of cuttings used 
in different places. The Mexicans make cuttings 3 or 
4 ft. long or even more. It is more common, however, 
to make short cuttings of a foot or so in length. 
It is claimed that plants grown from long cuttings 
commence flowering in the first year. The short 
cuttings certainly take longer, not coming into bearing 
until about the third or fourth year. 
When long cuttings are used, the stem is laid on 
the ground in a circle up to half its length, or is coiled 
round its future support. Its tip requires to be protected 
from the sun, and the plant must be frequently watered. 
I find also that it is advisable to cover the prostrate 
stem with a light layer of soil or rotten leaves to save 
it from injury and hasten its growth. 
In planting short cuttings, the base is inserted in 
the ground for about an inch, and a stick put close to 
it to start it climbing, or it may be put close to the 
tree on which it is to climb. At least two joints of 
the stem must be above the ground. After a week 
or two the plant puts out a shoot from one of the leaf 
axils, which soon lengthens, and sending out roots 
commences to cling to the support. The leaves of the 
young branch are usually brighter green, smaller and 
narrower than those of the original cutting. Eventu- 
ally, however, they attain their full size and deep green 
colour. 
For convenience the cuttings may be started in a 
nursery and removed to the garden when they have 
commenced to grow. The nursery beds should be made 
of good, rich leaf-mould, and shaded. As a rule, at least 
in the Straits Settlements, the cuttings require water- 
