starting point must be the locality where water already exists 

 in other words the banks of the rivers. By planting first in 

 their neighbourhood, and by using the aid of irrigation whe- 

 rever possible, a gradual advance may be made on the open 

 plain. The process will be long and slow, especially at first, and 

 will require thatunitedactionandconlinuous perseverance which 

 can only be obtained from governmental superintendence. In- 

 dividuals may deal with works that can be compassed in the 

 lifetime of a man, but governments or companies^can alone 

 look for success in works, which may extend over centuries. 

 One word as to the kinds of trees to be planted. I have a 

 strong conviction that in general no kinds of trees are so well 

 adapted for a country as those, which naturally grow in it or 

 in its neighbourhood already. All therefore that grow naturally 

 in the neighbouring regions would probably grow well in the 

 steppes if supplied with water. The Pinus silveslris Jn fact al- 

 ready grows (no doubt in a dwarf and shrub-like form) but still 

 grows in the steppe region of the middle Don. If under its pre- 

 sent disadvantageous circumstances it can subsist at all, it is. a 

 great argument that if it were placed in more favourable con- 

 ditions it would prosper. The Pinus Pallasiana of the Crimea 

 would also doubtless do well. I have heard Pinus Pinaster (ma- 

 ritiriia) suggested, but neither the soil nor the conditions seem 

 suited to it. The elm, birch, oak, beech, lime and chestnuts 

 w-ould no doubt thrive, once supply the soil with water and 

 moderate the severity of the climate by.the multiplication of trees, 

 and almost any thing will grow. The soil is fertile enough to 

 grow anything, but at the commencement the experiment 

 schould be made with the very commonest, hardiest and chea- 

 pest species that can be got that, I imagine, is Pinus sylves- 

 tris. To attempt to introduce rare species from other countries 

 is obviously premature. 



