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depredations of the insect tribe； whereas by a system of organisation he
would at the least have mitigated the scourge which has in many
instances resulted in absolute famine。 At one time the plague of locusts
was annually expected in Cyprus as a natural advent like the arrival of
swallows in the usual season； and when the swarms were extreme the crops
were devoured throughout the island； and swept completely from the
surface； entailing general ruin。 The cultivation of cotton； which should
be one of the most important industries； has been much restricted from
the fear of locusts； as they appear in May； when the tender young plants
are a few inches above the ground and are the first objects of attack。
It is related that when under the Venetians； Cyprus annually exported
30；000 bales or 6；600；000 lbs。 of cotton。 In 1877 the consular reports
estimated the entire produce of the island at 2000 bales of 200 okes per
bale； or 1；100；000 lbs。； equal to only one…sixth of the original
Venetian export。
The steps taken to destroy the locusts have so far diminished their
numbers that in certain districts the production of cotton might be
largely extended。 M。 Mattei； and Said Pacha when governor of Cyprus；
combined to make war upon the locust swarms by means of a simple but
effective method； which will render their names historical as the
greatest benefactors in an island that has seldom known aught but
oppressors。
The idea originated with Signor Richard Mattei； who is the largest
landed proprietor in Cyprus。 It is much to be regretted that
professional entomologists can seldom assist us in the eradication of
insect plagues； they can explain their habits； but they are useless as
allies against their attacks。 M。 Mattei had observed that the young
locusts invariably marched straight ahead； and turned neither to the
right or left； he had also remarked that upon arrival at an obstacle
they would endeavour to climb over； instead of going round it。 Under
these peculiarities of natural instinct a very simple arrangement
sufficed to lead them to destruction。 Pits were dug about three or four
feet deep at right angles with the line of march； and screens of cotton
cloth edged at the bottom with oil…skin were arranged something after
the fashion of stop…nets for ground game in covert…shooting in England。
This wall； with a slippery groundwork； prevented the insects from
proceeding。 As they never turn back； they were obliged to search
sideways for a passage； and were thus led into the pits in millions；
where they were destroyed by burying the masses beneath heaps of earth。
If a few gallons of petroleum were sprinkled over them； and fire
applied； much trouble would be saved。 This is a crude method of insect
destruction which could be improved upon； but great praise is due to the
efforts of M。 Richard Mattei and Said Pacha for having devoted their
energies so successfully to the eradication of a scourge which proved
its ancient importance from the Biblical registration of a curse upon
the Egyptians。
There is a reward given by government for the destruction of locust
eggs。 Each female deposits two small cases or sheaths beneath the
ground； containing thirty or forty eggs in each。 The position is easily
distinguished by a shining slimy substance。 A certain sum per oke is
given； and the people gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of
earning money at the same time that they destroy the common enemy。
The British administration is keenly alive to the importance of this
warfare； and I have frequently met commissioners of districts galloping
in hot haste； as though in pursuit of a retreating enemy； towards some
quarter where the appearance of locust swarms may have been reported； in
order to take immediate measures for their destruction。
Unfortunately the locust is not the only enemy of cotton cultivation；
but the （to my mind） abominable system of dimes； or tenths of produce to
be valued while growing； restricts the cultivator to an inferior variety
that will remain within the pod； instead of expanding when liberated by
ripening。
The cultivation of cotton differs according to the many varieties of the
plant。 Pliny described the 〃wool…bearing trees of Ethiopia；〃 and I have
myself seen the indigenous cotton thriving in a wild state in those
parts from whence they were first introduced to Egypt； during the reign
of Mehemet Ali； grandfather of the Khedive。 It is well known that
although comparatively a recent article of cultivation in Egypt； it has
become one of the most important exports from that country。 Cotton of
the first quality requires a peculiar combination of local conditions。
Water must be at command whenever required during the various stages of
cultivation； and perfectly dry weather must be assured when the crop is
ripe and fit to gather。 The collection extends over many days； as the
pods do not burst at the same period。 Some of the most valuable kinds
detach easily from the expanded husk and fall quickly to the ground；
which entails constant attention； and the quality would deteriorate
unless labour is always at hand to gather the cotton before it shall
fall naturally from the plant。
It will be therefore understood that； although many soils may be highly
favourable to the growth of fine qualities of cotton； there is an
absolute necessity for a combination of a peculiar climate； where
neither rain nor dew shall moisten； and accordingly deteriorate the
crop。 Egypt is specially favoured for the production of first…class
cotton； as in the upper portions of the Delta rain is seldom known； but
the extreme carelessness of the people has reduced the average quality
by mixing the seeds； instead of keeping the various classes rigidly
separate。
The dry climate； combined with the fertile soil of Cyprus； would suggest
a great extension of cotton cultivation； when artificial irrigation
shall be generally developed； but so long as the present system of
collecting the dimes is continued； the farmer cannot produce the higher
qualities which require immediate attention in collecting。 During the
delay in waiting for the official valuer； the pods are bursting rapidly；
and the valuable quality is falling to the ground； the cultivator is
therefore confined to the growth of those inferior cottons that will
adhere to the pods； and wait patiently for the arrival of the government
authority。
Consul Hamilton Lang； in his interesting work upon Cyprus； suggests that
the duty should be collected upon export； to relieve the farmer from the
present difficulty； which would enable him to cultivate the American
high qualities。 It is almost amusing to contrast the criticisms and
advice of the various British consuls who have for many years
represented us in Cyprus with the ideas of modern officials。 There can
be no doubt concerning consular reports in black and white； and equally
there can be no question of existing ordinances under the British
administration； but what appeared highly unjust to our consuls when
Cyprus was under Turkish rule； is accepted as perfectly equitable now
that the island has passed into the hands of Great Britain。
For many years I have taken a peculiar interest in cotton cultivation；
and in 1870 I introduced the excellent Egyptian variety； known as
〃galleen；〃 into Central Africa； and planted it at Gondokoro； north
latitude 4 degrees 54'； with excellent results。 In the first year this
grew to the height of about seven feet； with a proportionate thickness
of stem； and the spreading branches produced an abundant crop of a fine
quality； which detached itself from the seeds； immediately reducing the
operation of the cleaning…machine or 〃cotton…gin〃 to a minimum of
labour。 I have been much struck with the inferiority of Cyprian cotton；
scarcely any of the crop finds its way to England； but is exported to
Marseilles and Trieste。 Should Consul Lang's suggestion be carried out；
and the duty be taken upon export to relieve the grower from the
vexatious delays of the inquisitor or government valuer； there can be no
question of immediate improvement。 There is no more trouble or expense
in producing a first…class cotton than in the commonest variety； when
climate and soil are so peculiarly favourable as in Cyprus。 If the
government continues the system of ad valorem taxation； common sense
will suggest that the highest quality would alike be favourable to the
revenue and to the cultivator； therefore； in the interests of the
country and of individuals； every encouragement should be afforded to
the farmers to ensure the best of all species of produce throughout the
island。 The excellent compilation of Captain Savile； officially and
expressly printed for the service of the government； contains the
following passages：
〃According to all accounts the taxation of the inhabitants of Cyprus has
under Turkish administration been carried out in a most severe and
oppressive manner； and the imposts upon certain articles of agriculture
and commerce have been so heavy that their culture and export has in
some cases been almost abandoned。 。 。 。
〃The cultivation of vines for the manufacture of wine has been so
heavily and unjustly taxed； th