1885.] 



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193 



Korolkoff which the Kussians place on the mountains to keep the 

 soil from washing down. Amongst the trees grown is a variety of 

 poplar (P. alba jjyramidalis, also P. holeaoia) almost unknown in 

 Europe, but common in Central Asia, attaining there in from fifteen 

 to twenty years proportions fit for building, and is sold from 10s. to 

 16s. the tree. The Thuja orientalis here attains to 70 feet. The 

 elm, almond wood, white and black mulberry, and many European 

 kinds of fruit trees, especially apples and pears, which attain only 

 moderate perfection, are grown. More than 12,000 fruit trees were 

 grafted the year of Dr. Landsdell's visit, in order to be given to the 

 natives. In Samarkand, 1,000,000 forest saplings had been similarly 

 distributed ; and in the following spring it was expected that from 

 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 of such saplings would be distributed to 

 the nativeSj who readily undertake their culture. 



\Sb CN THL I 



Melons are a most lucrative crop in Khiva. Kostenko estimates 

 that, with good management, from 10,000 to 14,000 may be 

 obtained from an acre, and those at l^d. each will bring from £50 

 to £70. Hung to the ceiling of cool chambers, certain kinds keep 

 from the ripening season till the following May. They were sold at 

 from 12s. to 20s. a hundred. Some are about the size of an apple, 

 others a foot and a half long. Of the five kinds brought home to 

 England by Dr. Landsdell, some have been successfully cultivated, 

 others gave much promise, whilst the fruit of others was tasteless 

 and insipid like those raised from seeds brought home by Burnaby 

 and O'Donovan. Dr. Landsdell considers that two kinds may be 

 grown in England, as demonstrated by Gray and Wildsmith. 



