CHAPTER IV. 

 EXPORT TIMBER TRADE. 



IT is in the Governments of Olonetz and Archangel that 

 the export timber trade of Russia has attained its greatest 

 developments, and one of the most important marts is the 

 town of Onega, which is situated on the river of that 

 name at its embouchure into the Gulf of Onega on the 

 White Sea. It flows from Lake Latcha, taking its 

 departure not far from Kargopol. The district was afore- 

 time annexed to the Republic of Novogarod, which granted 

 permission to Dutch and other merchants to cut wood and 

 dig iron and mica in the vicinity of the lake. 



Lake Latcha is connected with Lake Woshe a little further 

 to the south. The river is a broad stream some four hundred 

 miles in length, flowing through some fine scenery, and 

 having its course varied by some fine rapids. 



For many years a considerable exportation of timber 

 has been carried on by the English Timber Company, or 

 the Onega Timber Company, as it is generally called, which 

 has held a concession for the cutting and exportation of 

 timber from the district. 



The most extensive timber operations in this district, 

 and they maybe considered the most extensive operations 

 of the kind carried on by any one party in the empire, 

 are those of this company, which is understood to be a 

 company of British capitalists engaged extensively, if not 

 exclusively, in the timber trade. From a gentleman well 

 acquainted with the local administration I received the 

 following information : 



f Most of the trees cut down for timber grow within a 



