THE CONDITIONS OF RUSSIAN AGRICULTURE 183 



part of the hot surface, so as to provide a comfortable couch 

 during the winter. The broad bed is usually built in a recess 

 between the stove and the central partition — certainly against 

 the stove — and is separated from the room by a tall screen which 

 is often pleasantly ornamented in a simple manner by some 

 dexterous work with an axe. There will probably be an 

 " ornament " under a glass shade occupying a place on a table 

 and some damp garments hung over a cord drying by the 

 stove. Sometimes as many as five ikons will be hung on 

 the wall and at least one small lamp will throw a faint light 

 upon their glittering surfaces. 



Russians are kind hospitable folk and the simple farmer is 

 not behind his richer countrymen in the matter of entertaining 

 a guest, although the means at his disposal may be of the most 

 primitive kind. There are few things they like better than 

 manipulating the sizzling samovar and dispensing tea while the 

 wife produces rye-bread, honey, fruit and as a particular luxury 

 — some eggs. They offer all they have and sincerely hope it 

 will be accepted. Their soft eyes beam with pleasure when 

 they are sipping hot weak tea with a visitor at their little table. 

 Sugar is seldom used, the tea being sweetened to taste by 

 each person taking frequent mouthfuls of honey dug out from a 

 big lump of honeycomb by means of a small spoon. 



In this simple manner the peasant farmers live, cultivating 

 flax and oats with which they trade and small quantities of rye, 

 hemp, clover and potatoes for their own use. Here and there 

 the Commune still survives, the village land, for which they 

 are taxed as a community, being divided up according to the 

 number of souls in the village at the time of division. This is 

 done by the Village Commune or Council of Elders, who not 

 only allot the ground to the inhabitants according to the 

 working ability of the various households but strictly supervise 

 its cultivation, deciding when to plough, when to sow, and when 

 to reap. So the peasant has no personal interest in the land, he 

 has only to carry out the communal instructions so as to avoid 

 trouble with the Elders. He may neither increase nor decrease 

 his agricultural task without the consent of the Commune, 

 neither may he seek employment elsewhere without their 

 permission : individual enterprise can find no place in a life 

 conducted under such circumstances. 



A fair proportion of the country is covered by pine, birch 



