‘Cyprus.’ [‎48v] (96/184)

90
CYPRUS.
Means of re
storing the
forests.
the forests have been destroyed simply though either carelessness
or wanton mischief. Fires in the woods are of very frequent
occurrence, they are generally kindled by the wandering shepherds
or their families, who make not the slightest attempt to check the
devastation which often ensues. Yon Loher mentions that he rode
through several charred and blackened districts, where it was quite
evident that the progress of the fire had only been arrested by there
being no more trees or shrubs to burn ; he also says that the
inhabitants of different villages often set fire to each other’s trees
or shrubs in order to avenge a quarrel. Fine trees meet with
the same fate simply for the pleasure of seeing them burn, and it
is stated that this is an amusement frequently indulged in by
ignorant and unreflecting shepherds, in order to while away their
time spent on the mountains.
The forests of dark pines which formerly clothed the mountain
sides have also fallen victims to the foolish and reckless manner in
which the tar burners and resin distillers carry on their business.
Yon Loher says, “ Operations are commenced by stripping off the
bark on one side, the finest trees being always selected, as high as
the man can reach, and the resin taken. Fire is then applied to
the base of the trunk, and a few hours suffice to lay it low. The
branches are then lopped off, and with portions of the trunk, are
heaped into a roughly constructed oven formed of quarried stone.
Fire is then applied to the wood, and the resin pours forth into a
little channel cut to receive it. The first fruits of this process
are called kolophonium, and the second, resin, whilst the last
result forms a kind of tar. Half the resin is, of course, wasted in
this rough process, and when the devastators have taken of the
best the hill-sides afford, they climb down to another green and
luxuriant spot, there to recommence their work of destruction.”
Gaudry says that if a peasant wishes to sow some grain up in the
mountains, he simply burns down the trees which stand on the
spot, and their ashes serve to enrich the soil for a few years, during
which it is cultivated, and when this piece of land is worked out,
the same process is repeated in another place, and so on.
To restore the forests to anything like their former con
dition will be the work of many years, and may at first involve
a heavy expenditure; in the end, however, it cannot but prove
remunerative, not only as regards the actual value of the timber
itself for manufacturing purposes, but also on account of the influ
ence which the existence of forests would have upon the climate.
This last subject has been considered in Chapter YI.
To effect the restoration of the timber supplies of the island,
not only will whole districts have to be replanted, but it is suggested
that all the existing woods and forests should be put under the im
mediate protection of the government, and their culture and general
management entrusted to efficient persons; every act of wanton
destruction should be punished, boundary lines round the villages
should be fixed, and restrictions placed upon the present trade in
resin. Opinions regarding the best trees to plant in the island have
been freely offered since our occupation of Cyprus commenced. In
the selection of these trees, great care will be required, for various