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7.—SUMMARY
OF INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT.
7.—A summarised statement of any developments in the agricultural, forestal, fishing, aiming, and other industries
of che Colony during the year under review, with a statement as to progress up to date. A special account should be
given of Government grants or other action for the development of the natural resources aud industries of the Colony.
Cyprus is essentially an agricultural rather than an industrial country. Satisfactory progress has-
been m a d e during the year and the gradual change from primitive to more modern methods of husbandry
continues. A greater interest is taken in the use of modern agricultural implements and machinery
and in the use of chemical fertilizers.
The cultivation of potatoes, both s u m m e r and winter crops, has maintained the high level attained
in recent years. Cyprus potatoes, which are of afinequality, are exported in large quantities to adjacent
countries.
The cultivation of citrus fruits has been considerably extended and a large export trade in oranges
and lemons is being built up. The extension of the citrus industry is receiving every encouragement.
The Department of Agriculture is supplying citrus plants to -growers and is giving instruction and demons–
trations in the proper methods of laying out new^gardens. T w o new citrus experimental stations have
been established as well as a special citrus nursery.
The investigations to locate sub-soil water with the aid of the drilling plants were well maintained
during the year. The amount of additional water m a d e available from these activities was 1,104,600
gallons per day. Forty-two wells were drilled, aggregating 6,472 feet of borehole, and of this number
16 wells were successfully carried to a second source producing the amount of water mentioned above.
Of these, 5 are artesian flowing wells with a total output of 355,000 gallons per day.
There has been a great demand for Cyprus mules and donkeys, and several lots have been supplied
to Iraq, Egypt and Palestine. The Manager of the Stock F a r m at Athalassa supplied breeding stock to
the District stud stables, and the usual number of stud animals has been maintained. A n e w stud stable
has been opened and m a n y improvements have been effected in the existing stud stables.
Re-ailorestation under the Forest Department is being pushed forward as rapidly as funds permit.
Tree-planting is n o w being eagerly taken up by private individuals and over 100,800 forest tree seedlings
have been distributed by the Forest Department for the purpose. Several n e w plantations were com–
menced during the year. Tree seed sowing with a tractor, plough, harrow and drill is being continued.
Mining development has been well maintained, and the export of pyrites, asbestos, terra umbra and
chrome has again exceeded thefiguresof previous years. The advent of influential mining companies
from England and America has resulted in a large increase in the number of applications for prospecting
permits, and drilling operations are n o w in progress on m a n y areas.
Development has been considerable in the following industries : wine and spirit making, tanning
cheese making,flax,cotton, silk, and carob grinding. With a view to encouraging the localflaxindustry the'
Empire Marketing Board has m a d e a grant of £2,500 spread over a period of three years, the Cyprus
Government providing an equal amount. The Zodia Scutching Mill,, which has been leased in connection
with this scheme, was worked to full capacity during the year.
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The manufacture of cigarettes is a thriving local industry. Cyprus-grown tobacco is n o w finding
a market in the United Kingdom and the cultivation of the Latakia variety has been extended as well as
those of the yellow cigarette tobaccos. There has been an increase in the acreage of tobacco and a con–
siderable improvement in the quality due to the activities of the special staff of tobacco instructors of
the Department of Agriculture. With an improvement in the marketing conditions further progress
is evident.
Leather-curing showed continued activity and the factory for the tanning of hides and skins haa
m a d e good progress.
Activity continues to be shown in the industry of weaving. A great variety of silk and cotton fabric
of excellent quality is manufactured andfindsa ready sale in both European and local markets notwith–
standing the fact that the manufacture is conducted in a primitive method by means of hand looms which
are m a d e locally.
A silkfilature,owned by the Cyprus Silk Filature, Ltd., and established on the most up-to-date lines
is in operation and is turning out silk of excellent quality. A Sericultural Conference was held early in
the year, and further development of the silk industry is receiving the close attention of the Government.
A m o n g minor industries, carpet-making, broom-making, and fruit-preserving showed continued
activity. The jam and fruit canning factory established by the Department of Agriculture has done
good work and the establishment of privately owned factories is projected.
Bee-keeping on modern methods is developing.
The manufacture of soap has progressed appreciably and is gradually coming into the foreground
of industrial development.
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