268 FORESTRY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



Some planting was commenced in 1889, and again in 1904, on 

 drift sand and dry rocky waste ; the areas are now for the second 

 time being cut over for fuel. In 1918 — 1919 about 8 square miles 

 were sown and partly planted, but it is not stated with what 

 species. 



The natural regeneration of the existing forests is poor, owing 

 to the unfavourable climate. Seeds germinate freely, but it is 

 said the drought of summer kills the seedlings of? again. Possibly 

 the large herds of goats, which graze in the forests, do more 

 damage than the summer drought. 



Seedlings of various forest trees are distributed to villagers who 

 desire to plant, and advice is given to private persons. The 

 Forest Authority consists of a Principal Forest Officer and an 

 Assistant, with a staff of Cypriot officials of various grades. The 

 Forest Department is allowed independent action subject to a 

 general responsibility to the Government. The recruitment is 

 entirely local ; no educational work is undertaken by the 

 Department. 



5. Increment and Utilization. 



No estimate of the annual increment of the forests has been 

 attempted. The utiHzation in 1918 — 1919 is given as follows : — 



Cubic feet. Valued at, £. 



Timber . . 123,388 .. 6,170 



Firewood . . 2,451,050 .. 24,510 



Total . 2,574,438 .. 30,680 



6. Forest Industries. 



Forest industries are at present confined to lumbering and fuel 

 preparation. It is stated that various other industries are capable 

 of development, such as wood distillation, essential oils, sumach 

 {Rhus colinus), schinia {Pistachia Lentiscus), ladanum gum 

 (Cytisua Creticus), dyes, bay rum from the fruit of Laurus nobilis, 

 &c. 



7. Exports and Imports. 



There is, apparently, no export of timber, but an import valued 

 at £21,665 ; also of a small amount of firewood, charcoal, pitch 

 and rosin. 



