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startiug point must be the localily where water already exists 

 — in other words the banks of the rivers. By planting firsl in 

 their neighbourhood, and by using the aid of irrigation whe- 

 rever possible, a graduai advance may be made on the open 

 plain. The processwillbe long and slow, especially al first, and 

 will requirethalunitedactionandconlinuousperseverance which 

 can only be obtained from governmental superintendence. In- 

 dividuals may deal with works that can be compassed in the 

 lifetirae of a man, but governments or companies can alone 

 look for success in works, which may extend over centuries. 

 One Word as lo the kinds of trees to be planted. I bave a 

 slrong conviction that in gênerai no kinds of trees are so well 

 adapted for a country as those, which naturally grow in it or 

 in its neighbourhood already. AU iherefore that grow naturally 

 in the neighbouring régions would probably grow well in the 

 steppes if supplied with water. The Pinus silvestris in fact al- 

 ready grows (no doubt in a dwarf and shrub-like form) but slill 

 grows in the steppe région of the middle Don. If under its pré- 

 sent disadvantageous circumstances it can subsist at ail, it is a 

 great argument that if it were placed in more favourable con- 

 ditions it would prosper. The Pinus Pallasiana of the Crimea 

 would also doubtless do well. I hâve heard Pinus Pinaster (ma- 

 ritima) suggested, but neither the soil nor the conditions seem 

 suited lo il. The elm, birch, oak, beech, lime and chestnuts 

 would no doubt thrive, — once supply the soil with water and 

 moderate the severily of the climate by.the multiplication of trees, 

 and almost any thing will grow. The soil is fertile enough to 

 grow anything, but al the commencement the experiment 

 schould be made with the very comraonest, hardiest and chea- 

 pest species that can be got — that, 1 imagine, is Pinus sylves- 

 tris. To altempt lo introduce rare species from other countries 

 is obviously prématuré. 



