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entire destruction by fire； rain； &c。
The poverty of the agricultural classes was so generally acknowledged
even by the Turkish administration that it was absolutely necessary to
relieve them by some external assistance； it was therefore resolved in
1869 to create an 〃Agricultural Bank and a Locust Fund；〃 the principles
of this establishment are sufficiently original to attract attention。
In 1871 the Turkish government issued a decree that all cultivators of
the ground should pay to the authorities a sum of money equal to the
price of one kilo of wheat and one of barley for every pair of oxen in
their possession； in order to create a capital for the new bank。 The
number of oxen would represent the scale of every holding； as they would
exhibit the proportion of ploughs required upon the farm； and thus yield
an approximate estimate of the area。
This arbitrary call upon the resources of the impoverished farmers was
an eccentric financial operation in the ostensible cause of assistance；
but it produced a capital of 169；028 piastres。 The rate of interest upon
loans to individuals； or for particular districts； for the purpose of
destroying locusts was 8 per cent。 previous to the year 1875； and was
increased to 12 per cent。 since that period。 Receipts for all sums
borrowed for the public benefit of locust destruction were signed by the
head…men and members of councils of villages。
At first sight the establishment of an agricultural bank sounded
propitious as a step in the right direction； but； according to the
conditions of all loans； it became usurious； and saddled the unfortunate
farmers after a few bad seasons with debts that could never be paid off。
If X borrowed 1000 pounds； he received only 880 pounds； as the year's
interest was deducted in advance； but he was afterwards charged compound
interest at 12 per cent。 upon the whole 1000 pounds。 Compound interest
at 12 per cent。 means speedy ruin。
Upon an examination of the accounts； the whole affair represents
apparently large figures in piastres； which when reduced to pounds
sterling presents a miserable total that proves the failure of the
enterprise。 As I have already stated； a 〃bank〃 could not succeed in
Cyprus if it were established specially to benefit the agriculturist；
money can always command 10 per cent。； while the farmer should obtain
the loans necessary for irrigation at a maximum of 6 per cent。 if he is
really to be encouraged。 This can only be accomplished through a
Government or National Bank； expressly organised for the purpose of
developing the agricultural interests。 As the government can obtain any
amount at 4 per cent。； the National Bank could well afford to lend at 6；
especially as the loan would be secured by a first mortgage； to take
precedence of all other claims upon the property。
The 〃Locust Fund〃 was an admirable institution which has achieved great
results。 There can be little doubt that throughout the world's history
man has exhibited a lamentable apathy in his passive submission to the
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