XI 



THE CEDAR (CEMBRAN PINE) TRADE OF ASIATIC RUSSIA 



When considering the Siberian forests from the stand- 

 point of their trade value and as a source of income 

 to the Government, it will be necessary to glance 

 briefly at the itnportant " Cedar " trade as it is called, 

 i.e. the collection and sale of the seed of the cembran 

 pine (Pinus cemhra). The trade is a local one, but 

 contributes greatly to the welfare of the local popu- 

 lation, as the seed is widely eaten throughout the 

 Russian empire. 



The pine is widespread throughout Asiatic Russia, 

 the Pinus cemhra being the commonest species ; on 

 the Altai and Sachalin, however, the P. cemhra var. 

 pumilla occurs. Both trees produce the edible seed 

 so well known and valued in the Russian market. 



The trade in this commodity is chiefly carried out in 

 the Governments of Tobolsk, Tomsk, and Enessey, and 

 especially on the Altai, where there are still beautiful 

 and as yet untouched pine forests and groves. In 

 other parts of Siberia the cembran pine forests have 

 suffered as badly from fire and the axe as has been the 

 case with the other species — spruces, firs, larch and 

 so forth. 



The gathering of the seed of the cembran pine, or 



154 



