The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-09-01
Special Agent IL
Honolulu, Aug. 10, 1903.
VANILLA CULTIVATION IN HA-
WALL

WALL
The vanilla bean is the cured fruit
of a vine belonging to the orchid
family. The term bean" Is n mis-
homer, as the plant is not legume.
The elongated fruit pods are from five
to eight inches long and the size of a
lead pencil. They are black, glossy
and somewhat wrinkled on the sur
face and contain thousands of exceed
ingly minute black seeds.
The vanilla plant is n native Of
Mexico. In 1903 Andrews gave the
name Vanilla planifolia to the best
variety, known there as mansa fina.
Today this plant is found wild in the
light forests of Southeast Mexico, Peru
and on Luzon,. Philippine Islands. 1t is
also extensively cultivated in the pro-
vince of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and on
the islands of Reunion, Madagascar,
Mauritius. Java, Fiji. Tahiti and the
Seychelles. The plant is feshy dark
green perennial climber, adhering to
trees by its aerial roots. In a vanilla
plantation there trees are called sup
ports. The vine attains the thickness
of a finger and grows singly for con-
siderable height. When nipped or bent
over a number of shoots thrown
out, which bear flower clusters, each
yielding ten or more flowers. The
flowers open about five weeks after
they burst through the buds. The pods
grow 10 their full size in five weeks,
and mature in about seven months.
Temperature. 1t may be stated in a
general way that the vanilla plant re-
quires n mean temperature of n de-
grees +. and abundant rains during
two-thirds or three-fourths of the year.
The production is more abundant and
of better quality in countries having a
distinct dry season. The humidity
should be about rs degrees and the
soil always moist. The temperature
must not be subject to sudden changes
and should not so too high and never
below 40 degrees +.
Soil Any soil is suitable, provided
the drainage is good. Light soil and
porous subsol should be given the
preference. The best locations are
valleys with slight slopes, where
moist atmosphere and protection from
strong wind may be obtained. Forest
land or land which has been covered
with dense growth of lantana should /,
be selected. The decayng leaves and |
later the decaying branches and |
trunks viii furnish the necessary hui
mus.
The Plantation. Clear the land by !
means of brush hooks and cane knives !
and dig out guava roots. cut down |
all large trees not wanted for wind |
breaks and cut up the large branches. |
Trees having a diameter of less than !
six inches are left standing. Next |
lay out the fields and set out addition
al trees for wind-breaks. 1t must be
well understood that vanilla planta-
ton needs protection from strong
wind. 1t is not sufficient TO protect
from prevailing winds only, but the
Held must be protected in all direc-
lions. Trees must not only he planted
around large plantation, but lines of
-rees should he set at intervals through
he fields, The lines for the supports
nay then be marked by stakes. These
ines should be S feet apart and the
he trees planted at intervals of
six to eight feet. Low-growing
rees which do not shed their bark.
should be selected for supports. The
ollowing are recommended for Ha-
vail: Spondias lutea. clog plumb;
2rythrina lithosperma, Coral tree);
crescentia, tCalabash tree): Bauhinia
est, Thomas tree), togeth-
n with the small trees which have
'een left standing, provided they are
nearly in line All others should be
Tut out unless wanted for wind breaks
,r shade.
Choice Of cuttings. The method OF
propagation is by cuttings. The ship
nent of plants is made during the dry
'eason' when growth has been check
ID. The plants are pulled up from the
ground and the roots are freed from
'oil The plants may be wrapped i'm
PAPER or packed In moss. A part of