Kulja and its Trade. 



As I have already stated, the IH Valley is possessed of con- 

 siderable natural resources, and only needs judicious government 

 for it to develop into a rich and thriving province. Iron and 

 copper are found in payable quantities, whilst a dozen miles 

 from Kulja coal mines exist from which the inhabitants obtain 

 what is practically the only fuel in use in the country. Here again 

 the methods employed to exploit the coal deposits leave much 

 to be desired, so that the advent of proper machinery and the 



THE ENTRANCE TO A CHINESE TEMPLE. 



establishment of the mines on a sound working basis would bring 

 increased prosperity to an industry requiring much stimulation 

 on practical lines. 



Kulja cannot be regarded as an important trading centre, what 

 trade there is being mostly in the hands of Russian Sarts, and 

 confined, in so far as the imports are concerned, to a variety of 

 cloth goods of Russian manufacture, such as calicos, linens, 



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