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To the Editor of " Tilton's Journal of Horticulture and Floral Companion." 



Sir, — I returned not very long since from a short visit to Russia, or 

 rather to some of its western portions; and, as this country lies somewhat out 

 of the usual course of travel, you may, perhaps, like an account of what I 

 saw. As the Russian empire is of vast extent, — having stretched through three 

 continents, until, by disposing of its American territory, it confines itself within 

 two, of each of which it occupies no inconsiderable part, — although I travelled 

 a long distance, I saw but little of it, and do -not attempt an account of the 

 different tribes that acknowledge its sway, nor of the various industries there 

 practised, but must limit myself to imperfect relation of some things that 

 came under my observation. Russia, so far as I saw it, may be succinctly de- 

 scribed as a great plain, extending far eastward beyond where I penetrated, and 

 westward through Prussia to the Rhine. When I say a plain, I mean that is its 

 general character : not that it is everywhere a dead level, although much of it is 

 so ; for occasionally the light soil is swept up into ridges or knolls approaching 

 the dignity of hills, but nowhere to that of mountains. The late Ur. Arnold said 

 that he looked out from his window upon a plain that extended to the Caspian 

 Sea ; and, judging from what I saw, it seemed to me as if this was a literal rather 

 than a figurative description of the country to which the remark referred. It is 

 a great plain to the Caspian Sea. This plain consists of a light, sandy soil, in 

 places of pure sand, but generally of sandy loim, which, though it may not 

 appear naturally fertile, yet seems capable, if skill and judgment were applied to 

 its cultivation, and a proper selection of objects of culture made, of producing 

 fair crops, except so fir as climate may interpose obstacles tiiat neither can 

 overcome. In the north-easterly parts of Prussia, where the soil does not 



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