346 Capt, Koschkull on the Caucasus, 
ans, Wao 
speak one language, are Mussulmans of the sect Slhiite, In” 
addition to the indigenous tribes which have been enumerated, — 
there are in the Caucasus many Russians and Germans who 
form communities scattered through all parts of the country, | 
The occupation of the Isthmus of the Caucasus for ages by 
so many nationalities, has made it the scene of incessant str 
by which its productiveness and prosperity, so highly fav 
by nature, have been greatly impeded. : 
Except the working of mines and the manufacture of metals, 
the industry of the country is absorbed in agriculture, stock : 
raising, fishing, rearing of silkworms, horticulture and the man- 
ufacture of wine. e 
generally cultivated—trye sparingly, and barley, oats, 
wheat are grown. 3 
Along the rivers when irrigation is easy, fruit and vegeta 
are raised; but only in the vicinity of the cities Pjotigorsk: | 
Kyzljar is the vine cultivated and wine made. a 
As the vast plains bordering on the Terek and Kuban col ‘ 
sist largely of prairies, the raising of horned cattle and | 
there extensively followed. ethe 
n the Great and Little Caucasus, in consequenc® © 
physical conditions which prevail there, the inhabitants the 
themselves to the raising of sheep, and the cultivation © 
soil is of secondary importance. cially it 
In the southern portions of the Isthmus, and espe i 
the valleys of the Rion, Kur and Araxis, W | 
been more generous in her gifts, the range of produc the soll 
try is much extended. As the climate is mild, 2 oe 
good, it may be said that the productiveness of this aba 
dependent simply on the amount of water availab tton 
tion. Beside wheat, barley and buckwheat, TC° ee 
maize are raised here. Horticulture is also largely PR a. 
and the cultivation of the vine assumes great impor live alos 
merly the principal occupation of the Cakhethit daar = - 
e Alazan, one of the tributaries of the Kur. . ,. and af 
The cultivation of tinctorial plants such as indigyr aa a 
fron is tollowed on the western shore of the Caspia®- of fraits 
In the localities most favorable to the eget The 
much attention is also given to the rearing of silkwor of Har 
most important centers of this industry are the cities FP 
makha and Naukha, : ee 
Upon the shores of the Caspain and Black se ail gt the 
of Azoff, especially on the peninsula of Tama” 
