Remarks on the most Important Plant-Societies of the Island. 



237 



to the fact tliat after haviii!?- conquered the island in 1571 tlie Turks chose the best and richest villag-es 

 foi- their own homes. Nowhere I have seen gardens the iirigation of which was so highly developed as in 

 those of tlie big Turkish village Episkopi to the west of Limassol, having a very complete irrigation system 

 with artificial spouts. 



The monasteries as a rule will have gardens, which ai-e, however, very different as to their 

 value. The best convent gardens 1 found round the monasteries Kykko and Hag. Neophytes having both 

 of them big and well cultivated gardens. To many others of the convent gardens on the other hand 

 these words of Ungee may be applied: „An die moisten KlOstern finden sich aus den Zeiten ihrer Griindung 

 grossere oder kleinere Garten mit herrlichen Obstbilumen, die schon durch ihre Alter ehrwiirdig sind oder 



P'ig. 81. Date-Palnis iu the Turkish Quarters of Laruaka. 



durcJi ihro Seltenheit auffallen, wie Flcus Sycomorus, Cordia Myxa, Liqiddamhar orientalis, u. s. w. Aber 

 alle diese Klostergarten sind verwildert, manche sogar verodet, ohngeachtet die zum Kloster fiihrenden 

 Wasscrleitungen sich meist noch im crtraglichen Zustande beflnden. An Anbau von Gemiisen denkt Niemand; 

 man genicst lieber die stachligen Sprossen von Capparis spinom, und die lederartigcn P.lattcr von Crithmxm 

 lunrifivium, als Kohl, Salat, u. s. w."') 



Wc shall now mention some of tiio most inipoi-tant of the trees that are cultivated in the gardens 

 of Cyprus. 



Cypress (Cupressiis sempeyvirens). The pyramidical variety (f. ityramidaUs) is very common 

 in gardens and in churchyards. Banana (Musa sapientimn) is especially to be found in gardens near the 

 towns and only in the lowest parts of the island. The date palm (Phoenix ddcfylifera) is common in 



') Unoer u. Kotschy, ('j'lieru, p. .504. 



