mid Timber-trade qftJie interior of Russia. 67 
upon the leading horse, and another upon the middle one, 
whilst others support and guide with handspikes the large and 
distant end of the tree, to raise it over the elevations of the 
snow, and to make it glide smoothly along. The conveyance of 
these large trees, the long line of the horses, the number of boors 
accompanying them through the forests, and across fields of 
snow, present an appearance very interesting. The dragging 
of these trees out of the forest to the lakes or rivers, is at all 
times a business of great fatigue and labour, which can be done 
with most facility during winter over the surface of the snow. 
If the frost is severe, it is managed with less difficulty, as the 
tree then glides more easily along the surface. 
To accomplish it in summer would be a much^ more serious 
piece of work, many of the trees being' above 70 feet in length, 
and of a large diameter ; from the ground being covered with 
heath and brush-wood, and from the intense heat of the sum- 
mer. Almost the whole of the warm season is required, after 
the timber is brought down to the water side, to raft it, to for- 
ward it through a long and intricate navigation, over a great ex- 
tent of couiitry, in some instances above 1000 versts, to the great 
towns, where it is delivered to the merchant. When delivered 
there, it must remain during another winter, to be shaped, and 
fitted for exportation, in such a manner as to take up as little room 
as possible on shipboard ; so that, with every possible dispatch, 
it is generally impossible to send it abroad before the second 
season. In this way it does not reach England till nearly two 
years after being cut down. 
The trees conveyed in the manner described to the ice of the 
nearest or most convenient lake or river, and gradually collect- 
ed from the different parts of the forests during the winter, re- 
main until a little time before the opening of the waters, when 
the timber-merchant and his assistants arrive from the towns to 
receive it. The nobleman, or his overseer, then meet the mer- 
chant, when they examine every tree separately, in its quali- 
ties and dimensions. When satisfied, the merchant puts his 
private mark upon each, with a sharp instrument made for the 
purpose, and numbers them, all which are entered in his book, 
and also in the cheque-book of the -proprietor. Such trees as 
are defective in quality are rejected, and denominated Bradke. 
