5«4 
Vanilla. 
A.m.  Jour,  Pharm. 
Dec,  1893. 
needed  by  the  world,  and  of  her  varied  and  valuable  industries, 
none  are  more  promising  and  give  indications  of  more  important 
growth  than  does  the  Vanilla  Bean.  The  infusion  of  greater  intelli- 
gence in  the  minds  of  the  natives  engaged  in  its  development,  the 
employment  of  better  means  for  its  preservation  and  cultivation,  the 
opening  of  newer  and  larger  districts  for  its  supply  and  a  more 
intimate  and  scientific  knowledge  of  its  natural  requisites,  would  in 
a  few  years  multiply  manifold  the  volume  of  this  commerce,  and 
would  permit  it  to  be  placed  upon  our  markets  and  markets  of  the 
world  in  a  far  better  condition,  as  respects  quality,  and  at  a  price  that 
would  largely  stimulate  its  use. 
I  returned  to  Philadelphia  satisfied  that  my  expedition  had  been 
of  great  practical  value  to  me,  and  that  if  more  merchants  and  busi- 
ness men,  deeply  interested  in  handling  and  marketing  Vanillas 
could  be  induced  to  turn  their  interest  and  attention  to  the  condi- 
tions and  restrictions  that  surround  the  production,  many  of  the 
difficulties  and  hazards  that  retard  its  cultivation,  that  make  its 
production  so  precarious,  and  mar  its  perfections,  and  so  materially 
increase  the  cost  of  transportation,  would  in  a  few  years  be  materially 
overcome. 
I  look  at  the  Vanilla  Bean  with  a  new  interest.  I  see  in  it  some- 
thing of  the  history  of  a  peculiar  people.  Its  delicate  aroma  is  to 
me  suggestive  of  the  bright  blue  sky,  the  blazing  sun,  the  tropical 
luxury,  and  the  rich  atmosphere  of  the  country  where  it  grows, 
almost  the  spontaneous  child  of  nature,  yet  so  potential  and  useful 
in  the  varied  needs  of  our  complicated  life  of  to-day. 
I  trust  that  the  brief  and  hurried  view  of  its  habits  and  peculiari- 
ties that  I  have  been  able  to  give  you  in  this  brief  talk  have  been  of 
some  interest  and  value  from  a  scientific  standpoint  and  may  have 
tended  to  render  more  accurate  and  definite  your  botanic  knowledge 
of  the  Vanilla  Plant,  and  may  have  cleared  away  some  of  the  super- 
stitions and  uncertainties  that  have  in  the  past  clouded  its  history. 
If  so,  the  object  of  my  talk  will  have  been  fully  accomplished,  and  I 
will  have  been  fully  repaid  for  the  little  time  I  have  spent  in  throw- 
ing together  the  somewhat  desultory  remarks. 
