82 
SPICES 
CHAP. 
Seychelles in 1906, “ is looked upon as the better market when 
the prices are good, but Paris sales are steadier when demand is 
dull ; that conclusion is based on the fact that there are regular 
monthly sales in London, where parcels are sometimes put up 
for forced sales, whereas in Paris there is no open market, but 
the principal buyers having standing contracts with the wholesale 
consumers are ready to buy at a figure which is not subject to 
market fluctuations. As the price ruled uniformly low during 
1905, the proportion sent to London was only 46 per cent of 
the total; in prosperous years the proportion sent to London 
has been as high as two-thirds.” (Colonial Eeport, Seychelles, 
1905.) 
THE PKOSPECTS OF VANILLA GEOWING 
Inquiries have recently been received by the Imperial 
Department of Agriculture as to the prospects of vanilla grow- 
ing in the West Indies, and the advisability of the extension of 
its cultivation. An increased demand has arisen in some of the 
markets ; by some, the reason for this is stated to be the recent 
passing of a Pure Food Law in the United States. The chief 
competitor with vanilla is vanillin, which is artificially produced 
from eugenol, a constituent of oil of cloves. The Pure Food Law, 
to which reference has just been made, makes it imperative, in 
relation to vanilla, that all packages containing artificial vanillin 
shall have a declaration to that effect on the wrapper or label, 
and it is explained in some quarters that this has decreased the 
sale of this product in favour of that of vanilla. The Depart- 
ment has obtained definite opinions in regard to the prospects 
in the vanilla markets of London and Uew York ; before giving 
these, it will be convenient to review the general position. | 
The following were the prices of vanilla on the 
London market (Messrs. Dalton and Young) in July, 
September, and November 1909, as given in t\\Q Journal 
J agriculture tropicale : — 
Seychelles 
Description. 
July. 
September. 
November. 
Fine (long) 
Fair 
Fair to good 
Ked and split 
12s. to 15s. 
10s. 6d. 
8s. to 11s. 
7s. to 8s. 
10s. to 11s. 
9s. 6d. to 12s. 
11s. to 15s. 
10s. 6d. to 11s. 6d. 
