CHAPTER IV. 



LAKE ONEGA. 



AT the issue of the Svir from Lake Onega is Vosnisenya, 

 one of the principal centres of inland navigation by a 

 widely extended system of canals, of which there are three 

 connecting the Baltic and North Sea with the Volga and 

 the Caspian. One of these commences here, where are 

 collected barges and vessels from all parts of Russia, 

 including an extensive region of Siberia. In this respect 

 it resembles the town and port of Schlusselburg on Lake 

 Ladoga, it being the fort from which that town takes its 

 name, and not the town itself, which is situated on an 

 island in the river. 



In the month of June last (1883) were formally opened 

 at Serumaxa on the Svir two new canals, connected with the 

 rivers Svir and Siass, the formal opening taking place in 

 the presence of the Emperor and Empress, who were 

 accompanied by several Ministers. The Svir Canal has 

 been named after the Emperor, and the Siass Canal after 

 the Empress. Both canals are 8 feet deep, and will allow 

 of the passage of large vessels, thus rendering possible the 

 transport of goods to the harbours of St. Petersburg in ten 

 days less time than hitherto. 



Vosnisenya is called by the inhabitants The St. Peters- 

 burg Gate. I received much kind courtesy here, and I am 

 indebted for much information and assistance in my en- 

 quires to Forst-Meister Dlutofsky. Here I had an opportu- 

 nity of penetrating a little way into the forests, along 

 with Forst-Meister Herman Goebel, from whom I received 

 much information in regard to forestry in Russia, and 

 more especially in regard to planting operations on 



