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drying in the sun, after which they are fermented 
in blankets, the drying and sweating process being 
continued until the pods become quite brown. They 
are then stored for a month before packing. 
The cropping of vanilla is very irregular, causing 
considerable fluctuations in the market price. 
Vanilla is used as a flavouring agent, chiefly for 
confectionery and liqueurs. 
The cultivation of vanilla has been attempted in 
this country ; but, since the period of ripening coin- 
cides with the wet season, it is not altogether a 
success, the pods being apt to fall before they are 
ripe and are thus spoilt. 
CINNAMON. 
( CmnamoThum zeylanicum). 
The true cinnamon is a medium sized tree, native 
to Ceylon and Southern India, 20 to 40 ft. high, but 
in cultivation is grown as a coppiced bush. The 
dried bark furnishes the cinnamon of commerce. 
The tree is usually grown from seed sown in nursery 
beds in clumps of about 25 seeds, the clumps being 
placed about 6 inches apart. After about one 
year these clumps are transplanted into the field 
to distances of 6 feet apart. Little cultivation is 
necessary beyond keeping down high weeds and 
particularly climbing plants. 
The shoots are ready for harvesting in the 3rd. or 
4th. year, and cutting takes place twice a year during 
the rainy seasons. Shoots selected for cutting are 
usually of two years’ growth. These are cut, the 
