236 



Bemarks on the most Important Plant-Societies of tlie Island. 



which a earob-tree may reach, Gennadius mentions a tree near Vatili in Messaria, the corolla of which 

 had a diametre of 42 English feet, covering 1450 square feet of ground. He also tells of another tree near 

 Yalussa in Karpas, not far less big than the former: the corolla of this tree is about 40 feet broad coveilng 

 an area of 1255 feet square.') According to communications, given by Mr. G. Vassiliou, uncommonly 

 big carob-trees are said to grow near the rivers Pyrgos and Limnati between Morphu and Chrysoku. 



In the gardens properly spoken, several other trees are cultivated' besides olive-trees and carob- 

 trees, mostly for the sake of their fruits. The gardens of Cyprus are i-ather different from those to 

 which we in Europe give the name of garden. The gardens of Cyprus in most cases consist of bigger or 



Fig-. 80. View on the Village of Palaeokhfirio, showing how the Fruit-( irchanls are situated along the Bottom of the Valleys. 



smaller plantations, where the different trees are placed indiscriminately without any order, and where 

 no attempt is made to clean the ground under the trees from weeds. By far the most important condition 

 of the existence of gardens in the island is a sufficient amount of water. Therefore most gardens are 

 placed in depressions of the ground, frequently along the bottom of glens and in similar places (Fig. 80). 

 Where Ihere is enough of water, these gardens bear the hue of great vigour and luxuriance, perhaps just 

 because the trees are left free, not being regularly dressed. Especially Varosha (a suburb of Famagusta), 

 Kythraea, Lapithos, Bellapais, Lefka and Episkopi are known for their big and rich orchards. Very often 

 the most vigorous gardens will be found near villages with a Turkish population; this is to be ascribed 



') GENNADinS, 1. c, p. 30. 



