HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 359

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island, the northern coast and western, comprising thei country between Poli-ton-Khrysokhus, and Baffo, and the central and coast-line from Baffo to Limasol, with exceptions of lands here and there cultivated with cereals^ The greater portion of the mountains that are now occupied with vineyards were originally forests, whicf have been cleared specially for the cultivation of the vine. I have seen ground at an elevation of 4800 feet where the vineyards originally existed upon cleared forest soil, which, having been abandoned, is relapsing into its former state, becoming more or less covered with pines as birds may have dropped the seeds, the cones may have been driven from higher altitud by wind and rain. Th e question that must now be determined is thi: "What portions of the island are to be restored forest ? " Any person who has carefully examine the country can reply without hesitation, " Plant useless lands with trees ; those useless lands a already more or less covered with bush or woo and denote their own position, in the Carpas, I Troodos, and all mountain and hill ranges. " Where ancient forests have disappeared in favour 0: cultivation, it would be folly to convert an improv ment into the original wilderness. That question easily simplified, and when the department of Woods and Forests shall be established, a few years of energy will produce a new picture in a country where the gro of timber proceeds quickly. But the last necessary reform still remains un noticed ; this should determine the amount of carou mulberry, and fruit-trees that should be compulso. planted by all proprietors of land in proportion to th acreage ; and this is absolutely necessary.

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