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letter in its integrity may convey the information which the autumnal
season has afforded。 The difficulty of all writers upon strange
countries lies in their short experience。 Each month exhibits the
changes of nature in seasons； meteorological phenomena； and vegetation；
thus the full twelve months should form the data for a detailed
description。 I closed my account of Cyprus in August； since which fruits
have ripened and various changes have developedall have afforded
information。
Taxation in kind； and Government valuation of produce while growing； has
been a crying evil that I have endeavoured to bring before the public as
one of those instances of injustice which stamps the oppressive system
of the Turkish administration； this unfortunately has not yet been
abolished by the British Government。 I have already described the
arbitrary and unjust laws that fetter the all…important wine trade；
which is the principal industry of Limasol； but since I forwarded the
manuscript to England I have myself witnessed the miserable effects of
the present laws during the advance of the season in ripening the
produce of the vineyards。
Three weeks ago I walked for some hours through the boundless extent of
grape cultivation at the foot of the mountains below the village of
Phyni； at that time the crop was ripe； and should have been gathered。
The bunches of dark red were equal to the finest hot…house grapes of
England； both in weight and in size of berries； the black were about the
average of the Black Hamburg； the white were smaller and about the size
of the common 〃sweet…water。〃 A day or two ago I again visited the same
vineyards； the grapes had not been gathered； and I computed that at
least one…third of the crop was destroyed by the delay。 The magnificent
bunches of dark red were for the most part shrivelled； one…half the
berries upon each cluster being reduced to the appearance of raisins；
and utterly devoid of juice； while many of the other varieties were
completely withered。 The explanation given by the people was simple
enough〃The official valuer had not appeared； and without his
certificate no grapes could be gathered。〃 There are only three valuers
to an extensive district； and it is physically impossible that they can
perform their duties； even were they inclined to attend when summoned to
each village； in the absence of some special inducement。 The actual
labour of walking up the abrupt inclines upon the mountain sides which
constitute the vineyards is most formidable； and at least four times the
staff is necessary； of young and capable men； if the valuation of the
crop is to be taken with due consideration to the interests of the
grower。 The distressing result that I have myself witnessed in the
partial destruction of the crops can admit of no excuse； but it exhibits
a painful example of mal…administration in the ruin attendant upon a
Turkish system of taxation。
Some persons may suggest that the dried and withered grapes would be
saleable as raisins： this is not the case。 Raisins are not merely dried
grapes； as is generally supposed； but the bunch of well…ripened berries
is dipped in a strong solution of potash； and is then either suspended
or is more generally laid upon a mat to dry。 In Cyprus the growers
seldom purchase potash； but they dip their grapes in a ley produced from
the ashes of certain woods。
The vineyards at this season are swarming with a species of beccaficos；
and the population are busy in catching these delicious birds with
sticks smeared with bird…lime。 It is a species of finch； a little larger
than the chaffinch； the plumage a brownish grey； when plucked the body
is much larger than the common beccaficos； but resembles it in
extraordinary fatness and delicacy of flavour。 The natives preserve them
by boiling in commanderia wine； and they are highly appreciated。 These
must be added to the migratory birds of Cyprus。
The acorns are nearly ripe； and I am assured by the monks that even
these insignificant productions pay a tax of 6d。 per kilo （about 32
lbs。）； and the crop is valued accordingly by the special authority。
There are three varieties of large timber oaks in addition to the ilex
and the prickly holly…leaved oak。 The acorns of the ilex and holly…
leaved species are small； but those of the three superior species vary
in size； all being much larger than those of England； while one variety
measures nearly three inches in length。 This is used as food； with no
other preparation than simple roasting； and is considered to be superior
to chestnuts。 The Ancient Britons used the acorn as an article of food；
and probably it was ground into flour after the bitter principle had
been extracted by soaking in running water； in the same manner that many
varieties of wild yams are treated by the natives in Africa。 In addition
to the use of the acorn as a substitute for chestnuts by the Cypriotes；
the large species when roasted black makes excellent coffee without any
admixture of the real berry。 All the varieties can be used for this
purpose； but that already named is preferred as superior in flavour。 The
English poor are not clever in adaptation； and are known to be strong in
prejudices respecting articles of diet； but it appears strange that the
use of the acorn has been entirely neglected as an aid to the bulk of
pure coffee； which would effect a considerable saving in the household；
if the adulteration took place at home。
A few days ago I was conversing with the old monk upon the question of
〃Chittim wood；〃 and I suggested my own theory； 〃that Solomon required
the highly…scented cypress of this island〃 （for the Temple。） My
venerable informant declared 〃that a wood exists to this day in Cyprus
which is supposed to be the original species referred to in Scripture；
this is a pine which is only found upon the mountains between Kyku and
Khrysokhus。 The grain and surface when planed are exceedingly close and
smooth； and the timber is strong and durable； far exceeding in quality
all other varieties。〃 The native name for this tree is Kandro。 I have
sent a monk to gather the cones of this tree； which I shall send to
England for seed； together with a sample of the foliage。
Sincerely yours；
Samuel W。 Baker。
Sept。 24； 1879。
P。S。 My messenger has just returned with a branch and cones of the tree；
which is only found upon the mountains between Kyku and Khrysokhus。
There is no longer a doubt。 It is a beautiful species of Cedar。
S。 W。 B。
End