8 NOTES ON AGRICULTURE IN CYPRUS 



There are certain export dues, in lieu of tithe, payable 

 on the following commodities : Aniseed 33 cp., cotton 

 55 cp., linseed 18 cp., mavrokokko (black cummin) 

 7 cp., and raisins 10 cp. per 100 okes ; silk cocoons 6f cp., 

 wound silk 18 cp., silk manufactured by other than hand 

 looms 1 8 cp. per oke. 



An annual tax is levied of 3! cp. per head on every 

 sheep and of 5 cp. per head on every goat one year old and 

 upwards, and of 4j cp. per head on every pig over three 

 months old. 







Credit and Agricultural Societies 



The spirit of co-operation has hitherto been singularly 

 lacking, but there are signs that a change is in progress and 

 that, with proper guidance, the cultivators will ere long 

 come to realise the advantages of combined effort in the 

 production and distribution of their crops. 



The establishment of village co-operative Credit Socie- 

 ties has long been advocated, but although a law was 

 passed in 1913 for this purpose, there has so far been little 

 practical outcome. Co-operation in its full modern 

 significance is not yet understood ; but one or two little 

 village co-operative banks have nevertheless been started 

 and show encouraging results. 



There are also a few small village agricultural societies 

 springing up, which, if properly conducted, may prove the 

 pioneers of a general movement in this direction. The 

 existence of such societies would greatly facilitate the 

 work of the Agricultural Department, which would be able 

 to influence and assist farmers through their societies, 

 whereas now it is often not possible to reach them 

 individually. 



Irrigation 



The most common method of raising water is by means 

 of primitive water-wheels or " alakatia," often described 

 as " Persian wheels " and resembling the " sakia " of 

 Egypt. By these the water is carried in earthenware cups 

 attached to the rim of a large vertical wooden wheel 

 fixed in the mouth of a well and made to revolve by a mule 



