THE Department of Agriculture is promoting the production of black pepper in Cavite province. It has bought recently a thousand planting materials of the Paniyur variety from India which produces long fruit spikes. Its yield is virtually double that of the ordinary variety.

One practice that is being popularized is to plant three or four rooted cuttings at the base of each mahogany tree that is at least about five years old. The vines will cling to the trunk of the tree. The vines may be maintained at a height of six feet for easier harvesting and maintenance.

The vines will usually bear fruit in two years. At four years old, they will already produce a lot of fruits. Photo shows the fruits of vines made to climb a mahogany tree at the Sarian Farm in Teresa, Rizal. A lot of planting materials are available here SARIAN FARM.