Variation in tlie Price and Supply of Wheat. 
207 
at that level during the summer (18G3). But British markets declined to 40s. 
in summer 186i!, and even dropped as low as 34i-. in autumn. Nevertheless, 
Kussian holders, who could have sold better at home, consigned to England 
and elsewhere in expectation of a rally. On the approach of winter, prices at 
Taganrog fell to au equivalent of '61s. to 38s. per quarter delivered in 
England. 
Rei'Ort by Mr. Consul-Geneeal Grenville Mueray, February ^th, 1865. 
— Improvements in the navigation of the Don would (from the position of 
Taganrog and the command of fertile territory) make the grain export trade 
of the Azoff the most important in the world. Other cereals besides wheat 
are gaining ground, and by the improvements coming into practice and the 
introduction of implements, cultivation will be rapidly extended. The exports 
of wheat from Taganrog, for the five years ending 18(13, averaged 1,000,000 
quarters, with very little variation in the quantity each year. 
Mr. Carruthers's Report, January, 1865. — Stocks in spring light at all 
the Azoff ports. Trade active in sjjring, arising fiom the prospective buoyancy 
of foreign markets and the low freights. As soon as the roads were passable 
supplies began to flow in. 
Vegetation checked by cold weather and night frosts up to May ; grass crops 
entirely faded ; corn revived by more genial weather, which was followed, 
however, by a drought and general failure of the harvest (1864). 
This, with the fall of the waters of the Don and its tributaries, which 
arrested the progress of 170 barques laden with grain (got ofi' at a great loss 
and cost), caused a temporary' rise in price of 3s. to 5s. a quarter. The 
promising aspect of the approaching harvest in the West of Europe checked 
the rise ; but the i'ailure of the crops in the Soratoft' Government, and on both 
littorals of the Azoff, and in many of the northern districts, prevented a decline 
of prices to the proportionate level of rates ruling in the MediteiTanean ports 
and in England. There is, however, abundance of corn in the inland districts 
of Veronege, the Ukraine, and a portion of Ekaterinosloft, and should pirices be 
sufficiently high to cover the cost of distant conveyance, the exportatiou of 
1865 may equal that of 1864. 
The recent changes in the social state of Russia, together with several 
indifferent harvests, have not been favourable to the development of agii- 
cultuial improvements. The landed proprietors as a body are too much 
impoveri.shed to undertake alterations necessitating considerable expenditure ; 
nor have the farmers latterly obtained sufficient returns to enable them to incur 
an outlay of capital for the sake of distant advantage ; the jieasantry, likewise, 
still under the influence of their late thraldom, are scarcely yet conscious that 
they must rely solely on their own industry and providence to better their 
condition. There is, nevertheless, a growiug conviction that time is really of 
value ; that if land be brought under improved cultivation, a gain in quality — 
probably in the quantity of produce also — may confidently be expected ; and 
that if work can be accomplished in one week which occupied hitherto doirble 
that space of time, a palpable advantage is obtained. Agricultural machinery 
and implements are consequently beginning to be appreciated ; but before a 
marked and general improvement in the cultivation of the soil in these regions, 
the present generation must have passed away, and a more enlightened and 
vigorous spirit have taken root. 
TAGANROG.— Report by Me. Carruthees foe 1866.— Crops of 1865 
harvested in bad condition^ through rains. Demand for foreign markets 
inactive, with no disposition to speculate. Production of cereals, in 1866, 
irregular. The environs of Taganrog, Rostoff, Bachmont, those of Veronege, 
the line of the Caucasus, and Tchernamore districts, were highly favoured ; 
whilst the vicinities of Mariapol, Starabelsk, Bialavodsk, and the Government 
