The Forests of Russia and their Prodiiets. 335 



Peter the Great evinced much interest in the propagation of trees of 

 various kinds througliout his empire, although their destruction is 

 the prevailing fashion at present. 



The following characteristic autograph letter* of tlie Czar to 

 t'rince Galitsin will show his solicitude in these matters and 

 his practical turn of mind: — " ]\Ir. Colonel, We have written to the 

 Duke (of Mecklenhurg) by the present courier, in order that he may 

 give you permission to dig up some young beech trees with the roots, 

 near Eostock, or other locality in the vicinity of Rostock, to be sent 

 to St. Petersburg, about which thou also must solicit him, so that 

 you may have a space granted you at once; and when you have 

 had a place allotted where to dig them, let young beech trees be dug 

 np, which should be about 7 or 8 feet high, lopping off the tops, and 

 in thickness nccording to the enclosed dravving, about six thousand 

 of them ; and, besides, order about 1,000 beech saplings to be dug up. 

 Por this purpose find agardener of some sort for the time, who could 

 show you how best to dig up these trees and lop off the tops. In tlie 

 meantime endeavour, in order to transport these trees to St. 

 Petersburg, to hire at Eostock a galleon or other large sea-going 

 vessel that would hold these trees, and about the freight arrange 

 with the captain to be paid at St. Petersljurg, in merchandise of 

 whatsover kind he may desire, with the exception only of two articles : 

 leather and tar." 



This letter was discovered only a few years ago among the papers of tin Galitsin 



family. 



[To l)G continued,] 



w^ 



