The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-01-15
The Cultivation of
Vanilla Bean
Urged.
CONDITIONS IN
HAWAII ARE GOOD
Other Plants Particularly Adapted
To Our Soil Described
by Expert.
THE following article written by

THE following article written by
Mr. Il. II. Edwards, a gentleman
lately arrived from Mauritius, Will
be read with interest by all who
want Hawaii to receive and encourage
the small proprietor. Mr.. Edwards Is
now occupying one of the cottages at
Allan Herbert's place, Kalihi where he
is noting the remarkable vigor and pro-
Effectiveness of a vine of the vanilla
bean. a product which, if raised on a
large scale in Hawaii, might yield bet
ter dividends than sugar. The vine
mentioned, which is a small one, MI
Edwards estimates to be worth 800 a.
it stands In Mauritius the net profit
from vanilla bean culture is $3.50 pei
acre.
Mr.. Edwards writes as follows:
In this and subsequent issues we pur-
pose giving to our readers a few notes
and statistics on some economic products
that commend themselves to the atten-
ton of capitalists and landed proprietors,
large and small, throughout the Hawaii
Territory.
The sugar industry is undoubtedly one
that enErosses attention in agricultural
circles, but there are large areas through
out the Islands that are unsuited to the
cultivation of this staple, which might
be turned to prOntaDle account we az
not in any way pessimistic In our views
with regard to the sugar industry; long
may It continue to flourish and fill the
Golfers of those who have so boldly and
ungrudgingly embarked in Its culture;
but 1t is well to bear In mind that no
product is exempt from disease and the
effects of bad seasons. In some sugar
producing countries disease has done
much to paralyze the industry.
As is generally known, the cultivation
of sugar cannot be entered into without
large initiatory expense, far beyond the
means of the small capitalist. The cult
walton of minor industries, in which the
cost of machinery and plant is nominal
appeals to small proprietors and those
possessed of moderate capital. There are
many such Industries; prominent among
them stands vanilla. A few acres of this
plant, carefully cultivated, gives an an
snual return unsurpassed by any other
product. According to the late w. II.
Cockburn Stewart, who lived in va
nilla-growing country. vanillerie OF fve
acres gives an annual profit of A.250
Again, the Fourcroya gigantia, or green
aloe fourishes on poor soil, costs little
In cultivation, and yields a profit which
puts that derived from the sugar indus
try in the shade. The nucleus for ex-
tension is already in the country, as the
plant is to be found growing wild in
many parts. People, as a rule, are slow
to initiate but prone to initiate. Be 1t
once shown that there is virtue in Ha-
waiian soil and climate for the lucra-
tive investment of capital in the cultva-
ton of the products of which we are
about to treat the dormant capabilities
of large portion of the land that is
now lying untitled and uncared-for will
be brought to light IT Is always well
to remember the old adage, Don't put
all your eggs into one basket"
VANILLA.
Vanilla is a native or Eastern Mexico,
but the cultivation of the vine has for
many years been carried on successfully
in Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar and
Seychelles. The development of the va
nilla trade has added greatly to the
wealth Of the people of these countries
more particularly of the last named
Large quantities are sent to England,
but still larger to the Continent while
the United States consumes annually
nearly 100000 pounds of the fragrant bean,
most of which is imported from Mexico
and Venezuela.
In the forests Of Venezuela the plant
grows wild, but a great deal of the prod
uce, when put on the market is of an
inferior quality. principally owing to the
pods being gathered before they arrive
at maturity. The cause of this early
gathering is: THAT one family takes Il
early lest another family should get it
when quite ripe for harvest" The chief
use of vanilla is for flavorng, perfumery.
confectionery, etc. The following is from
an American report:
Twenty years ago the entire crop of
beans cultivated and marketed amounted
to from 100000 to 100000 pounds yearly
and the prices received ranged from $3.50
upwards per pound Now the annual
production is 100000 pounds, and the
present price from IS to sl4 per pound.
Strange as II may seem, II Is vet true
that thousands of people really believe
vanilla to be a product OF the tonga, or
'snuff beam and multitudes use flavor
ing extracts made from this article, sold
to them under the name of vanilla.
yearly consumption of 100000 vanilla
beans would not suffice TO color even the
various decoctions which are sold under
the name of vanilla extracts and flavor
ings."
Vanilla plantations are formed OF cut
tings from the vine, which, under favor
able conditions, commence to bear in
the second year after planting but II Is
not until the third year that a good pay
ing crop may be expected. The late Mr.
H. Cockhurn Stewart. at one time ad-
ministrator OF Seychelles, in a dispatch to
the Mauritius government. wrote:
An ordinary vanilla plantation, or
Nahillerie,' as II is called here, is about
hNe acres In extent, and at moderate
computation represents a production of
zp POUNDS or vanilla per acre. clear
pom Oh Ten rupees pound, after de-
quoting all expenses of production, ship
ping and freight to Europe, may be ac-
cepted as fair calculation, thus giving
$50. sfNa' W
This Is somewhat exaggerated estl-
mate. but there Is no doubt that with
careful and proper treatment In its Guilt
walton. and under an enlightened system
In the preparation of the pods. thera are
few, II any. tropical products that yield,
acre for acre. such a handsome return
as vanilla IL ID vine that should he
planted In every garden throughout the
Hawaiian archipelago. The care and at.