1839.] Lieut. Irwin's Memoir of Afghanistan. 879 



been dug by the governments of former times ; these are never re- 

 markably deep in the Kurakol, but the water is at least as good as 

 that of draw-wells in the neighbourhood of Bokhara. The soil too is 

 seldom impregnated with salt, and were it the custom of the country 

 to water lands from wells, it could be brought into cultivation. At pre- 

 sent it affords an early grass to be pastured in the spring. That part 

 which is next to Bokhara, was formerly cultivated. The Kurakol ex- 

 tends beyond the Jaxartes into the country of the Kuzzaks, but that 

 people have also hills and declivities with a good soil. With respect 

 to the Kirghiz country, and the east of Toorkistan, the soil has consi- 

 derable variety ; many places are stony ; loam and clay are very com- 

 mon, and in natural fertility the cultivated lands of the east are un- 

 questionably superior to those of the west. The Pamer has a rich soil. 



106. In the vast extent of Chinese Toorkistan it may be supposed 

 there is to be found all varieties of soil. That of Yarkund is sandy 

 and weak, and sandy wastes intervene between it and Khootun, in 

 which the Chinese Government have erected pillars to guide the tra- 

 vellers into the right road. The uncultivated space is about an hun- 

 dred miles broad, if we pursue the ordinary road. The soil of Khoo- 

 tun is superior to that of Yarkund, and the cultivation considerable. 

 The river of Yarkund passes through this country. To the north- 

 east sands soon recommence, in which the river is at length lost, at no 

 great distance from Toorfan. Ela and Aksoo lie near to mountains in 

 northerly directions, are tolerably well watered, and the soil is good. 

 Akeoo seems to be north and a little east from Yarkund, and the 

 road is sometimes inhabited, sometimes not. 



107- There remain some countries of which we have little in- 

 formation which can throw light on the present subject. Such are the 

 Tibets and Kushkar. We know that they are ill cultivated, and per- 

 haps the climate condemns great part of them to sterility. Other parts 

 may be occupied by rocks and stones. From the particulars now 

 detailed, it is evident that the countries most favoured by nature, are 

 neither the upland tracts nor yet the open plains distant from hills, 

 but those which lie at a moderate distance from their foot, and receive 

 the water which flows from them. Lofty mountains however barren 

 themselves, are the cause of fertility to the plains below. In the 

 vast expanse here treated of, there is a very great proportion now un- 

 cultivated, and may continue so for ever. Some part is a loose sand or 

 hard clay, unproductive without much water, which at the same time 

 the climate and situation deny ; another is covered with a profusion 

 of stones. The composition of some lands seems adverse to the growth 



