Title: Vanilla culture in Puerto Rico
Identifier: CAT31289489 (find matches)
Year: 1948 (1940s)
Authors: Childers, Norman Franklin, 1910-
Subjects: Vanilla; Orchids
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : U. S. Dept. of Agriculture
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library

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VANILLA CULTURE IN PUERTO RICO 71 aside in marked trunks until ready for cutting. Buyers dealing with the cooperative curing plant have requested that the cuts not exceed 10 percent of the crop. In Mexico the small curers or producers who do not have the necessary equipment to cure whole beans may cut their entire crop (10) . Between 10 and 20 percent of the crop in Mexico usually is marketed under the dassification of cuts. During periods when high prices are being paid for vanilla beans, as during World War II, Mexico some-
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Figure 55.—A thermostatically heated water bath is used for killing green vanilla beans at the Castaner plant. Beans are placed in a copper screen container, dipped, rolled in heavy woolen blankets, and placed in boxes to start the curing. times sold as much as 50 percent of the total crop as cuts because they have faster curing properties and could meet an early market demand. Generally the prices paid for cuts are considerably below those paid for whole beans, but during high-price periods the spread between the two prices is much less. Experiments at this station have shown that there is no difference in quality between cut and whole beans, espe- cially when the cuts consist largely of split beans. Split beans have had opportunity to fully mature on the vine and, in fact, may contain more aroma than the green beans. However, the present market is adjusted to handle and pay a premium for the whole beans, splits and cuts usually bringing a much lower price.

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