530 BARKUL 



tribution of the rainfall was emphasized by the type 

 of forest on the range ; in the east it was spruce and 

 larch, but gradually the spruce was eliminated, until at 

 a point south of Barkul the larch alone remained. The 

 maximum rainfall, judging by the distribution and type 

 of the forest, would be on the easternmost spurs of the 

 Barkul Range and around the head-waters of the Irdi 

 Khe River. 



After joining Miller and the main caravan, which was 

 still in charge of the Beg, the transport being supplied 

 by subjects of the Khan from Narin Kur, we rode, on 

 April 13th, into the town of Barkul. From here we 

 despatched the Beg to Kumul, with many messages to 

 his master and a suitable present for himself. With 

 the help supplied by the Khan of Kumul, a large pro- 

 portion of the inconvenience and worry which hinder 

 real work on a journey had been eliminated ; we more 

 than appreciated the advantages we had been enjoying 

 when we suddenly found ourselves stranded in Barkul, 

 a town which boasted an imbecile Governor and an 

 exceptionally surly population. It was with real regret 

 that we parted with the Beg and the willing Taghliks, 

 who had shown us the many hidden valleys of their 

 mountain home. 



In connexion with the adjacent pastures and corn- 

 lands the town of Barkul itself was an important centre. 

 Situated close under the mountains, where ample 

 forests gave a plentiful supply of fuel and from whence 

 the melting snows, or frequent rains, perennially satur- 

 ated the surrounding country and kept the pastures 

 fresh and green throughout the heat of summer, it con- 

 stituted the centre of trade for the whole district. Here 

 came the Kumulik shepherds and the Chinese farmers. 



