TCD MS 3416 page 52
ing. In such a perfect fruit growing climate their fruit ought to be world famous, whereas it is actually of such poor qualilty that a Maidstone market gardener would not go to the expense of packing it. Figs, however, are their speciality and are very good: the dried figs of Smynra, as also do sultanas and <raisins>, find their way all over the world, but I have often bought them cheaper in London than in Turkey as a prisoner of war. The country cow carts are most primative: made of wood, they consist of a platform which rests on a stout wood axle which is fixed to two more or less round and solid wooden wheels: the axles and wheels have to revolve together which makes it impossible to turn the cart round when in a narrow road without lifting it round or taking a large circular trip into the country. The moans, squeaks and groans of these carts when in motion reminded me of a Turkish brass band that I once heard practicing “La Paloma”. A certain amount of cotton is grown in this district and baled in Adama.