70 
SARYTS CHEW^S TRAVELS 
Tlie bay of Awatska might then be the principal rendezvous 
for all vessels going on the chase, to the Islands and America, or 
trading to the East Indies ; for on all the shores belonging to 
Russia in this quarter, there is not a securer and more commo¬ 
dious place for the mooring of ships. In this case it would be 
necessary to build warehouses for the merchandise. 
With regard to the commodities that might constitute our 
trade with China and Japan, the products of these parts, in¬ 
dependent of those from Russia, would amply suffice, as sea- 
beavers, sea-lions, otters, foxes, minevers, and above all the 
fangs of the walrus or river-horse. But the most important com¬ 
merce might be carried on with train-oil and whalebone, when¬ 
ever proper arrangements could be made for catching the whales 
which frequent these seas in vast numbers. Not to mention, that 
the shoals of other fish which are to be found in Kamtschatka, 
would prove no inconsiderable source of advantage when salted 
and dried. 
The conveyance of East India products into the interior of 
Russia by the bay of Awatska, might be greatly facilitated by 
carrying them from hence in small craft to the Aldomish bay, and 
then by the river Maia to the Jakutsk. 
If in addition to the advantages resulting from this trade, a 
colony were raised here, agriculture extended, the breeding of 
cattle encouraged, and all sorts of manufactures established, Kamt¬ 
schatka would in a short tune rival the greatest part of Europe 
in affluence and cultivation. The climate is temperate, and the 
soil prolific in whatever is essential for living. Agriculture has 
been attended to with tolerable success for some time on the river 
Kamtschatka by the upper fortress, and in the village of Klut- 
schew^sk, which is inhabited by Russian peasants; but with so 
small a number of labourers the progress is not visible. 
Provisions for the military are imported from Ochotsk. A 
pood of rye-flower (about forty pounds), costs the government 
3 dollars 75 kopeks. The tschetwerik (360 pounds) of buck¬ 
wheat and barley grits, six rubles. Potatoes, which have been 
introduced here about 10 years, thrive very well, and increase 
particularly in Bolscherezsk, where the greatest care is taken of 
them. It is also very certain, that flax and linen might be pro¬ 
duced here, wffiich would be cheaper than what is imported, the 
coarsest of which is sold at 70 kopeks, or a dollar, (3s. 6d.) a yard. 
The spirits here, are extracted from a sweet herb, and are 
equally offensive botl> in taste and smell. They cost 40 rubles 
a pail. 
Copper money is scarcely known in Kamtschatka, silver coin 
only being in use; but small notes or assignations are beginning 
to get introduced, 
END or VOL, I. QF SAEYTSCIlEw’s TRAVELS, 
