II 
VANILLA 
69 
woods on vines fully exposed to the sun, were longer 
and more aromatically scented than those from the 
shady spots, and having remarked also that the 
Albizzia and the Jatropha shed all their leaves in 
the dry season, that is to say, just at the time when the 
vine most required shade, conceived the idea of planting 
in full sun. M. des Grottes saw a plantation of this 
type at Androdoat, where there was a fine vanillery in 
full sun, and affirms that the result was most successful ; 
the vines were full of strength though yellow from the 
sun^s action, which is quite natural. But this single 
experience cannot be taken as a proof that the system 
can always be used with success. No absolute rules 
can be laid down in the cultivation of vanilla. All 
depends on the actual situation, and methods vary from 
one country to another and even on different estates. 
The cultivation of vanilla in full sun is subject 
to certain essential conditions. In the first place, the 
soil must be perfectly suited for this method of cultiva- 
tion, and then the cuttings selected by the planter 
must not be taken from vines growing in too dark 
shade, which would expose them to a certain check, 
and thirdly, the mulching of the ground with straw 
must be perfect. It is essential that the straw or grass 
used for shading the soil must be completely dry. M. 
Mersaime urges the attention to several little points of 
importance in this method of cultivation. He advises 
that the cuttings should not be planted at the foot of 
the supports, but at a distance of 30 to 40 cm., and 
should be led up to the support after the manner of a 
hammock ; again, he warns against twisting the vines 
round the supports so that the backs of the leaves are 
exposed to the sun. Vanilla does not naturally expose 
the backs of its leaves to the sunlight, and if in twisting 
the climber round its supports the backs of the leaves 
are exposed to the sun, they gradually twist themselves 
round so as to regain their correct position. 
In regard to the question as to what shade trees are 
best for vanilla, M. Mersaime condemns the banana for 
