EN ROUTE FOR SIBERIA 49 



found in the system of co-opera,tive dairy farming, 

 which has been introduced with quite phenomenal 

 success. The dairies are handled in a rational, 

 business-like manner; the Government gives the 

 peasantry every possible assistance, both financially 

 and by providing expert teachers of a;griculture, and 

 the peasant shows his appreciation of his oppor- 

 tunities by purchasing the best American harvesting 

 machinery, almost regardless of cost. It is astonish- 

 ing how easily these people adopt new ideas and 

 methods. Five years ago they were completely 

 ignorant of the butter trade — to-day they are skilled 

 commercial men who always know where to obtain 

 the highest market prices, and who will run all over 

 the town before they consent to sell their produce, 

 rather than forfeit an extra 5 kopecks ' per pood ^ 

 (4d. per cwt.). And what is true of the butter 

 trade is true of every other branch in which the 

 peasantry have made a commencement. Every 

 Saturday they assemble at the bazaar, bringing with 

 them supplies of grain, meat, &c., &c. The bazaar 

 is an interesting trade centre, where the produce is 

 exhibited in rows of wooden huts, each class of goods 

 being kept separate. As in some of our own country 

 villages, the barter system is common, the seller 

 taking goods of equal value in exchange for the 

 comtnodities he is offering for sale. The annual 

 Easter fair is a most interesting sight to witness. 

 Peasants arrive from all parts of the Empire, bring- 

 ing with them every variety of goods, including 

 articles of gold and silver, silks, &c. Many articles 

 are sold at such low prices as a farthing or half- 

 penny each. Gipsies are conspicuous arnong the 

 traders, the womfen telling fortunes, and much 



' I rouble = loo kopecks = about 2s. ijd. 

 ° I pood=:38'ii lbs. avoirdupois. 



4 



