280 THE SMALL GRAINS 



because of certain distinctive characteristics of their cereal 

 crops, but which do not yet produce any considerable 

 quantity of grain. These are the Syrian-Arabian-Persian 

 region, the Tibetan-Himalaya highlands, central and east- 

 ern Siberia, Abyssinia, and South Africa. In such regions 

 as west China, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Jungaria, Mon- 

 golia, and large portions of central Africa and northern 

 South America, little or nothing is yet known as to cereal 

 adaptation and cultivation. 



294. Russia. As might be inferred from the preced- 

 ing discussions, the best example of a region well adapted 

 for cereal cultivation is the large area in Russia, includ- 

 ing practically the Chernozem, which extends indefinitely 

 into western Siberia. The accompanying map shows how 

 well the heaviest distribution of wheat in Russia corre- 

 sponds with the extension of the Chernozem (Fig. 81). 

 European Russia has the largest cereal production (ex- 

 clusive of corn) of all countries, though the entire area of 

 the country is less than that of the United States. 



Because of the extremes of dryness, winter cold and 

 summer heat, native Russian cereals are the hardiest in the 

 world. They are also usually of the best quality. Nearly 

 two thirds of the present wheat production of Canada 

 and the United States, and much of the oats, is of varieties 

 originating in Russia. More rye and proso are grown 

 in Russia than in any other country. Wheat production 

 also ranks well with that of the United States. Rye and 

 barley are grown chiefly in the northern and central parts 

 of the country. Winter cereals, including soft winter 

 wheats, are grown in the center, west, and southwest. 

 Spring grains are found in the north, east, southeast, and 

 even south. Because of the strong turn of the isotherms, 

 the relative positions of spring and winter cereals are 



