TUBKESIAI-T, ASKABAD. MR. F. N. MEYER , AGRICULTURAL EXPLORER. 
Writes that Turkestan does not compare favorably with the 
Caucasus. It is very hot and dry, and the vegetation not 
very varied. The temperature was 100° F. at 8 A. M. the 
day he wrote. Most trees have to be watered periodically 
or they die in one or two years. In Erasncvcdsk, which is 
quite mild in winter, there is a beautiful flowering bush, 
Poinciana gilliesii, which thrives with very little irri- 
gation; Eleagnus argue t if ol ia , Populus divers if olia and a 
species of Saxavil bush , also need very little water. There 
are, however, apparently few trees that resist the aridness 
of the Central Asian plains, where hoc summers are followed 
by cold. winters , and high winds blow frequently in both 
winter and summer. The trees that loch the best are the 
native form of Ulmus campestris, the Chinese Aiianthus 
glandulosa, and the North American Robinia pseudacacia. 
There are lots of apricots, cherries, plums and cucumbers 
on the market. The fruits are all of small size, apparent- 
ly nearly all seedlings, and according to Mr. Meyer's inter- 
preter, all tire imported from Persia, where in the northern 
part between the Vudsnur and Mesked, he saw whole mountain 
sides covered with wild apricots. Mr. Meyer has seen trains 
of camels come in loaded with cucumbers and apricots. The 
• apricots are sweet-kerneled. He will send seeds. 
