92 NOTES ON AGRICULTURE IN CYPRUS 



In 1913 a Cypriot from German East Africa who 

 had been engaged in the production of Sisal hemp there 

 was struck by the few excellent plants he found growing 

 in Cyprus, and, had sufficient suitable land been then 

 obtainable, with transport facilities, was desirous of 

 undertaking cultivation on a commercial basis. 



Samples of fibre prepared from the leaves of the above- 

 mentioned plants were reported on by the Imperial 

 Institute in 1912, but as the leaves had been retted, and 

 not scraped or scutched, their value was depreciated, and 

 this was estimated at from 14 to 18 per ton with best 

 Mexican Sisal hemp at 25 per ton. 



The outlay for fencing against wandering flocks of goats 

 and for decorticating machinery and other expenses would 

 deter the ordinary cultivator from planting, and this could 

 only be profitably undertaken if ample capital were forth- 

 coming. 



Broom Corn 



Until the end of last century all brooms of European 

 type were imported. Seed of broom corn (Sorghum 

 vulgar e), known locally as " tchihri " or " skoupa," was 

 then introduced, and gradually the cultivation has ex- 

 tended and a good number of brooms of very fair 

 quality are now locally made. The process of broom- 

 making is very simple and the high price of the imported 

 article during the war has led to a marked extension of the 

 industry. The plant grows well, especially on irrigated 

 land. The seed provides a good food for chickens and the 

 stalks and leaves can be used as fodder. It is a profitable 

 crop, especially when the cultivator makes and sells the 

 brooms himself, and is principally grown in the Karpas 

 and at Athienou. 



TOBACCO 



In Turkish times tobacco was grown in several parts of 

 the Island, though not to any large extent. 



" For centuries it was produced in many districts of 

 the Island, and particularly in the Karpas, near Kilani, 

 Omodhos and Paphos, but from the time it became an 

 article of monopoly its production was subjected to rigorous 



