Variation in the Price and Supply of MTieat. 211 
other improved implcmonts for clearing aud ])ulvcrising the soil arc likewise 
made use of on many of the \vcll-ori;;anised estates, where attention is paid also 
to a jjroper selection of seed. But beyond such ordinary solicitude towards 
amendment, no niovemcnt is apparent, nor do any efi'orts seem to be made 
to obviate the aridity of the climate by plantation of trees, or throwing 
dams across ravines and declivities, for utilising the water that runs to 
waste durins; the moist seasons of the year. Steam-thrashing machines, 
now in common use, although of much service as a substitute for manual 
labour, and preparing more speedily grain for market, do not tend to increase 
production. 
The emancipated serfs are peaceably settling down, and their labour will 
in the course of a few years sensibly increase the volume of agricultural 
productions. 
Population and Industry. — Without statistical information there are no 
precise data to rely on. The usual computation of annual births is 5 per cent, 
of the fixed residents, and 3 per cent, of deaths, the greatest mortality being 
among the infants up to 5 years of age. Migration is considerable, numerous 
labourers being attracted hither from Central Russia to engage in town and 
field labour during summer, and at the fisheries in winter, but they have 
to return to their respective places of abode on the expiration of the term for 
leave of absence. The urban population generally is a very improvident class, 
prone to inebriety and other reprehensible habits, which are much promoted by 
the low price of spirituous liquors, and the numerous licensed drinking houses. 
BERDIANSK, 1861. — Navigation closes early in December and opens early 
in March. Average price of sott wheat for the year 1861, 34s. Zd. per quarter ; 
and for hard wheat, 33s. 9c?. per quarter. Crops abundant, but inferior in 
quality to those of 1860, owing to very heavy rains during the spring and ■ 
summer. 
1862. — " Crops nearly a failure, owing to the total absence of rain during 
the spring and the devastation caused by locusts and other insects." Prices 
high ; great losses sustained by shippers. Population improved, and the price 
of corn expected to be lower next year. 
Average price of wheat for the year, 36s. a quarter. 
1863. — Corn crops inferior in all districts. Many of the villages have been 
obliged to purchase corn for their winter consumption. Cattle of every descrip- 
tion have been purchased for their hides only. A superior bullock realised 
about \l , instead of and it is to be feared that a large portion will perish 
for the want of fodder during the imusually severe winter. 
BERDIANSK. Repokt by Mr. Consul Wagstaff for 1863. — There 
are belonging to the town 9,910 acres of pasture land, 5,720 acres of cul- 
tivated land, which latter is let out on the average at 15s. per acre. This 
land, which was formerly very fertile, yielding 5i quarters to the acre, at 
present, owing to no means being taken to enrich it, only gives from 2^ to 3? 
quarters. This is not surprising, as the agricultural implements are of a very 
inferior sort, and no care is taken in selecting the wheat for seed. An English 
firm having established a depot for the required implements, there is every 
appearance of machinery being more generally employed : the emancipation 
of serfdom, and the great scarcity of manual labour, having convinced the 
proprietors of the necessity of adopting this system. Some, however, are very 
tenacious as to the old manner of agriculture, and look upon the present innova- 
tions with little confidence. Irrigation is totally neglected, and direful indeed 
are the consequences. Owing to the long droughts of the past three years, the 
crops have been a complete failure, and, up to the present time, such is the 
aridity of the weather that the prospects of this year are very unsatisfactory. 
Should they for the fourth time prove a failure, the agricultural classes will be 
reduced to abject misery, as they have thrown their best resources into the 
