162 ON THE PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES OF CYPRUS. 



wild throughout the island, hut it is more particularly abundant in 

 the districts of Limassol and Kerinea. The finest trees are found at 

 Lefcara. It has heen observed that the plantations at a distance 

 from the sea are more productive than those in the immediate vicinity 

 of the coast. 



Olives are one of the chief of the indigenous trees of Cyprus. 

 They are constantly found in company with the carob trees at the 

 base of the mountains skirting the plains, and forming a line of 

 demarcation between the uncultivated mountain sides and the 

 cultivated lands. Vast quantities of olive-trees are scattered over 

 the country, especially in the district of Baffo, in a wild state, and 

 consequently unproductive. These trees merely require grafting to 

 render them fruitful, and capable of yielding great quantities of oil 

 for commerce, yet, in spite of the profusion in which the tree is 

 found, it is frequently necessary to import oil into Cyprus for local con- 

 sumption. 



The fruit-trees of Cyprus, as might be expected from its geographical 

 position, are mostly those peculiar to southern countries. The palm- 

 tree abounds in Nicosia and Lefca ; it is found in smaller numbers in 

 Larnaca and Limassol. Its presence in the villages generally indicates 

 Turkish inhabitants, the Mussulmans being much attached to this tree. 

 The dates which it bears are inferior to those of Egypt, and never 

 attain the same degree of maturity. Orange, citron, lemon and cedrat- 

 trees are largely cultivated in the gardens throughout Cyprus, though 

 not in sufficient quantities to permit of exportation ; indeed oranges are 

 occasionally imported into Cyprus from Tripoli and Jaffa. Pomegra- 

 nates are very abundant ; a certain quantity is annually exported to 

 Alexandria. The island produces two kinds of apricots, one small and 

 of a very poor quality, which is considered unwholesome ; the other 

 kind, called the caisha, is of the sweet-kern elled variety, and very 

 luscious ; great quantities of it are eaten without inconvenience. The 

 fig tree is very common. The prickly pear lines the hedges along the 

 road sides, and by the gardens. A small description of cherry is found 

 in one part of the islsnd, and sold in the markets of Nicosia and Lanarca. 

 Apples and pears are raised in small quantities, but the quality 

 of both these fruits is very inferior. Walnut and almond-tress are 

 rare, but they are found here and there in the island. Peaches are 

 not uncommon, but they are hard, and only fit for cooking. Grapes 

 are abundant, and of excellent quality. Melons and water-melons 

 are produced in considerable quantities ; the ordinary melons have 

 little of the aroma of the melon, but resemble more the cucumber 

 in flavour ; there is, however, another description, called tumburse, 

 which is sweet and well-flavoured. The water-melons are smaller 

 than those of Jaffa, and by no means equal to them in taste. 



Cyprus is very well supplied with vegetables, the principal of which 

 are potatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, lettuces, tomatoes, the aubergine, 



