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7.—SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
7.—ri summarized statement of any developments in the agricultural, forested,fishing,mining, nnd other indust
•>/ the Colony during the year uiuler review, icilh a statement as to prmp-rss up lo date. .4. special account should
itf (xovernment grants or other action for the development of the natural resources and industries of the Colony.
Cyprus is essentially an agricultural country, and the agricultural population is extremely conservative.
Nevertheless owing to the lower prices offered for exportable produce and the loss or partial loss of some nearby
markets for certain products ou account of tariff or other restrictive measures, the necessity of searching for alternative-
crops and markets has been brought home to producers and exporters. Furthermore farmers have shown an increased
desire'.to improve their methods.
In recent years the main agricultural developments were connected rather with marketing than production and
to a great extent these conditions applied during 1935. Better marketing and increased production were rendered
possible only by an improvemeut in the quality of produce offered. Local wheat production was protected by a>
continuation of protective duties on imported flour.
The grading and packing of citrus fruit for export is now on a better basis and although the whole work is done*
by hand, the standards of various grades offruitsare much improved. The principal consuming markets were the
United Kingdom and Northern Europe again, but owing to defective shipping arrangements and to a short crop,
the exports during 1935 declined. The fruit inspection service is working satisfactorily and by regulations governing
rhe exportation of citrus fruit aud other scheduled products, by intensive propaganda, advice and instructions and
bvrigidinspections curried out at the ports of exportation, the standard of agricultural produce for export has definitely
been raised.
Tlie export of wines to the United Kingdom continued on the same scale as in previous years. The quality of
wine exported is steadily improving, but the bulk of village made wines are still of poor quality and quite untit for the
better class markets. This improvement is due in large measure to propaganda carried out by the Government
nnd to instruction and assistance afforded by it to producers.
A .iteadv demand exists in neighbouring countries for cattle, mules and donkeys from Cyprus. Owing to adverse
conditions during the previous years of drought the supplies of animals are insufficient to meet the demand, but the
services maintained by Government at Stud Stables throughout the Island and the provision of premium donkeys-
and other stud animals on loan have maintained and improved the quality of the stock and the numbers of animals
available for export are now on the increase.
Thettaxspinning and weaving establishment formerly at Zodhia has been transferred to Nicosia and the flax
scutching mill at Yeroskipos was conducted during tho year by private enterprise with the advice and assistance of
Max officers of tho Agricultural Department.
The provision of Tobaeco Instructors bv Government to assist the growers and instruct them in the proper methods
of growing and preparing tobacco wa-s continued. The export of yellow leaf tobacco is now allowed only under a licence
to export held bv* the Cyprus Cigarette Company. There was little demand for fumigated tobacco.
The silk industrv was carried on under the close supervision of Inspectors, who are responsible by law for
encouraging m d assisting production and .riving advice. Prices are at present not such as to encourage increased
interest in thi.-> industry.
Grants have been sanctioned bv th-* Lords Commissioners of the Treasury from the Colonial Development Fund
f<»r ("l Completion of th« V-ricnltu-'al Experiment Stations at Morphou, Saitta ami Trikoukkia—£5,000 : (6) Purchase
of.Stud Animals for the Government Stock F a r m — £2.000 and (<*) Construction of Produce Inspection Sheds—£3.150.
fnun these -oecial tonus of .issutance to particular industries, rhe Agricultural Department of the Colony
continues ro -ive advice to eiu*..urage the cultivation of all suitable crops, to a>>isr agriculturists, to control animal
•ind nl-int disei<e< and -*nerallv. to foster agriculture, the main industry of tlie Colony, in all its branches, by means
of it> various organized technical -rvices and by instruction given by itinerant agricultural officers.
The investigation- to locate sub-soil water with the aid of the drilling plants were continued during the
ve-i- ^he amount of additional water made available from these activities was 4.571.760 gallons per clay. Forty-tour
wells were drilled, aggregating 0.142 feet of borehole, and of this number 2S wells were successfully earned to a
second --ource producing "the amount of water mentioned above.
Owino- to lack of fluids re-afforestation bv artificial methods had to be reduced to small scale experiments and to-
repair-planting in existing olantations. Some 9.016 seedlings were sold to private individuals during the year.
" -Ui improvement in tlie demand for base metals has had a favourable effect anon this section of the mining industry
r e ^ u W in increased exports of cupriferous pyrites by the Cyprus Mines Corporation Operations by the Cyprus &
Gene.*uf Asbestos C o m J n v . Ltd.. however, have been somewhat curtailed aurmg the year under review owing to-
rethuVed s'ales of asbestos fibres. The amount of labour employed m the mining industry showed-a sught increase on
the figures for the preceding year.
feature of the vear has been the increased activity shown in prospecting due to a search for deposits containing
precioulmetaU. These operation* have met with a tail* measure of success in several localities and development work
i.s oroceeding.
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minor industries, carpet-making and broom-making showed continued activity.
Shoe m a k m * and furniture-making are progressing. Owing to change Ln policy, the Forest Department gave up
lettin^ntracts
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for tne manufacture and sale of wooden articles but carpenters are continuing this metnod of working
in wo'od, foUowing the original work started by the Forest Department.
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The art of embroiderv is also well advanced; a great number of girls and women are engaged oa needlework and
lace-making. Lace i.s in Nude demand abroad.
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The making of stockings by machinery mainly for local use has spread consideraoly and .he industry of
hat-making, for" ladies, is gaining ground.