48 NOTES ON AGRICULTURE IN CYPRUS 



produces fruits suitable for fresh consumption. The 

 " Phountouk " is somewhat inferior. The other two 

 have large fruits which are specially suited for preserving. 



Two years ago the Agricultural Department imported 

 from Sudan the following varieties : " Condeila," " Berta- 

 mouta " and " Barakawi." They suffered much on the 

 journey and it is doubtful if more than two or three 

 specimens will survive. 



As a rule dates ripen well in Cyprus ; gathering takes 

 place from October to December. The clusters must 

 generally be covered with sacking to protect them from 

 birds. 



NUTS 

 Hazelnuts and Cobnuts or Filberts 



These nuts are collectively known in commerce as 

 " small nuts." They are all, however, the produce of a 

 species of Corylus, the different kinds being distinguished 

 by trade names according to their country of origin (see 

 an article on " Sources of Supply of Hazelnuts " in 

 BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, vol. xiv. 1916, 

 pp. 261-7). 



In Cyprus these are grown almost exclusively around 

 a well-defined group of villages of the Pitsillia, notably 

 Alona, Palsechori, Askas, Platanistassa, Phterikoudi, 

 Livadhia, Agros, Alithinou, Saranti, Polystipos. In this 

 locality the plantations are thickly grown and good yields 

 are obtained. It is doubtful whether there are other 

 parts of the Island equally well suited to this tree. 



Hazelnuts, besides their use for dessert purposes and 

 in the preparation of various nut foods, are employed 

 largely as a cheap substitute for almonds, and in years 

 when the latter are scarce, hazelnuts are in especially good 

 demand. 



The Cyprus nuts are outwardly of good size and appear- 

 ance and are very attractive in the English market, but 

 unfortunately they are usually picked before reaching full 

 maturity, and consequently the kernels are frequently 

 small and soon become rancid. Being gathered when 

 unripe they lose greatly in weight, which means loss of 



