210 
Variation in the Price and Supply of Wheat. 
even that Russian wheat might he delivered in England at 30s. per quarter. 
Those who venture to hazard such an opinion can know little of the subject on 
which they treat, still less of the obstacles to free intercourse and luck of 
resources existing in the inland districts of this country, where made roads are 
unknown, capital scarce, and the administration venal, luiihvays will no doubt 
afford the means of conveying more rapidly to market produce grown on lauds 
contiguous to the lines, but this can only be a very small portion of the 
aggregate supplies ; and a short distance from railway stations will, at certain 
seasons, suflice to act as an irrefragable barrier. Independent of this, it is well 
known that conveyance of grain by rail is a very expensive expedient in all 
parts of the world, and certainly not likely to be less so in Russia than else- 
where ; but however eflicient may be the railway service, and however low the 
rates of transport, the productive powers of the country will not soon be 
increased materially thereb}'. All surplus produce is now exported ; to increase 
supplies sufficiently in ratio to affect prices will necessitate more extended 
industry, an augmented population, and also a much wider breadth of culture. 
These advantages will doubtlessly accrue to Russia in progress of time ; that is, 
however, no reason why prices should become very sensibly reduced ; expe- 
rience, indeed, would rather indicate a contrary tendency. The quantity of 
grain now grown in Europe is greatly in excess of what was the case fifteen 
years ago, nevertheless it is not found that the increased production has de- 
pressed prices, a proportionately larger consumption having maintained the 
equilibrium. However this may be, British markets incur little risk of being 
inundated with grain from Russia. The United States are by far more capable 
of bringing abour such a contingency by the energy, skill, commercial enterprise, 
and free action enjoyed by that people. 
The exportation from Taganrog during the last five years was as follows: — 
1863. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
Wheat . . qrs. 
1,049,157 
933,295 
961,386 
1,183,888 
Rye .. .. 
29,651 
1,554 
4,733 
94,952 
Barley . . „ 
10,199 
5,153 
16,218 
70,344 
Oats .. .. 
13,424 
13,552 
75,588 
Linseed . . , , 
190,658 
191,846 
146,607 
193,227 
1867. 
1,336,400 
346,289 
71,748 
206,629 
A railway from the Don Cossack station at Aksai to Rostofif has not only 
been determined on, but actually commenced, before the public became aware 
of the decision. The unwonted promptitude with which this scheme has been 
adopted and put in execution, leads to the inference that Government is the 
principal promoter, although a Russian contractor, M. Poliakoff, is said to be 
the ostensible party. This railway will connect Rostoff with the coal-fields in 
the vicinity of Scherkask, and join the Voronege line, now under cons'ruction 
for that destination. There seems at present no idea of its being continued 
onward to Taganrog, a clear indication that advancement of trade is not the 
main object. It is supposed that the line eventually will cross the Don at 
Rostoff, thence proceed round the extremity to the southern side of the 
Azoff, and onward in a westerly direction to Anapa, on the Black Sea, pur- 
suant to a plan suggested by the Grand Duke Michael, Imperial Lieutenant at 
Tiflis. 
Agriculture. — It should not bo inferred that the large production of grain in 
these parts for the last two years is attributable to an improved sy.-^tem of 
cultivation. In this portion of the empire land generally is unexhausted and 
exceedingly fertile, requiring nothing but adequate moisture and tolerably good 
husbandry to insure abundant crops. The deep furrow plough of Messrs. 
Ransomes and Sims has been found very effective, and is extensively employed ; 
