II 
VANILLA 
85 
Eeference is made to the American Pure Food Law, which 
compels the makers of commodities for consumption to indicate, 
in a plain manner, whether their products are perfumed with 
vanilla or vanillin. 
It is interesting to note, in passing, that the follow- 
ing measures are proposed for the purpose of putting 
prices in the French vanilla market on the most 
satisfactory basis : — 
1. A tax of 416 francs per kilogram (about 
(£7 : 10s. per lb.) on vanillin. 
2. Application of the adulteration laws to vanillin. 
3. Reduction of the areas cultivated in vanilla in 
the different countries where it is produced. 
The last recommendation is of special interest, in 
view of any proposal to extend the production of 
vanilla in the West Indies. 
Evidence as to the increased production of vanilla 
is also given in the Diplomatic and Consular Reports, 
No. 4243, Annual Series, Report for the Year 1908 
on the Trade of Reunion. Here it is stated that the 
quantities produced in recent years were as follows : — 
Year. Kilos. 
1906- 1907 35,588 
1907- 1908 48,865 
1908- 1909 70,000 
It is further stated that, of the last crop, 44 tons 
was exported up to February 26, 1909, when prices 
varied between 6s. 4d. and 9s. per lb. for first quality, 
and 3s. 2d. and 4s. 9d. for inferior quality. The final 
opinion given is : “ there has been a great over-produc- 
tion of vanilla during the last five or six years, and 
prices are likely to go still lower as new plantations 
come into bearing. 
The Semi-Annual Report of Schimmel and Co., 
dated October 1909, contains the following : — 
The French Government has received a memorial, containing 
2500 signatures, from vanilla planters in the French colonies, 
urging the imposition of a sufficient excise duty upon vanillin 
to enable the vanilla producers, who describe themselves as 
