atid Timber -trade of the interior of Russia. 61 
ribs, founderies, and in kitchens, in great quantities. The mass 
of wood consumed in these various ways must be very great. 
The forests supply turpentine with little labour, and at almost 
no expence. It is the different species of fir-tree or pine which 
yield this article ; it is distilled from the bottom of the trunk 
and the roots, which are left in the earth after the tree is cut 
down. These are dug upj and broken into chips by the hatchet, 
then put into the boiler, and the turpentine extracted by distik 
lation'; the refuse of the boiler furnishing fuel for the next fire. 
During the course of the day, with one of these bailers, a peasant 
will obtain, upon an average, from 4 j lb. to 5 lb. of turpentine ; 
and even this quantity might be considerably increased. If the 
number of stills, upon a larger and more economical prin- 
ciple, were increased, the quantity of turpentine which might 
be obtained in the course of a year upon a proprietor’s estate, 
might be very considerable, and would much enlarge his revenue. 
The forests also furnish materials for the roads. The young 
fir-trees having their branches lopped off, are laid longitudinally 
across the road, close to each other, and covered with a layer of 
earth or sand, to fill up the interstices. Roads of this descrip- 
tion are formed by the peasantry over hundreds of versts^ and 
through marshy ground, which could only be done in a country 
where wood is in such abundance. Upon one part of the great 
Moscow road, however, they have lately been collecting large 
masses of stone, vtrhich they break down by fire of peat or moss 
placed under them, when they are rendered brittle by the severe 
frosts. 
It is amongst these forests that the wild honey is got, for 
which Russia is celebrated. Mead made from it is in great esti- 
mation among the peasantry, and is sold in the towns as a sub- 
stitute for sugar, and various other purposes. Considerable 
quantities of this honey are annually exported to Great Britain 
and other countries. The wild bees make their hives in the hol- 
low trunks of the aged or injured trees, where they are sought 
after by the straggling woodmen. 
The exportation of timber affords a considerable addition to 
the revenue of the government, as well as to the private fortune 
of the proprietors. It is a grand source of labour to the industri- 
ous peasantry settled upon the estates, and likewise to the ship- 
