Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-18
The Stcppes Of Central Asia.

The steppes are the bottoms of ancien
. seas which once rolled over large por
ton of the continent of Asia, AMI which
when swept by storms, rise in tumultu
ous waves, not of water, but of sand, til,
particles of which might be likened t.
spray, but that they burn like sparks OF
fire. The terror inspired by these
storms is such rs to deter even the most
adventurous merchant from traversing
the steppes in summer, unless under the
most pressing necessity. Their aspect,
when covered with snow, is described rs
strangely awful and oppressive, exhibit
ing the expanse of the ocean, without its
animation, and the solitude of the Arctic
regions without their sublimity. Woe
to the traveller who is overtaken by n
snow.storm in the steppes; his doom is
inevitable, and bodies of troops, which
have essayed the perilous task of march,
ing across the steppes in winter, have
been overtaken and overwhelmed by
tempest of snow. Dreary as are the
steppes in winter, their aspect in spring
is not without certain beauty. The
vegetation is rapid, and they are clothed
with short vivid green grass, ,interspersed
with scarlet poppies, wild tulips, yellow
larkspurs, geraniums, and many kinds of
cruciferous and leguminous plants. The
oases of General Asia affords striking
contrast to the surrounding desolation,
and the cities which in past ages sprung
up in these favored spots abounded in
everything that could crafty the heart
of an Asiatic. Even in their decay they
possess attractions which excite the en-
thusiasm of travellers, and Bokhara,
Bnlkh, Khokan, Samarcand, Khiva, and
Tashkend are still celebrated for their
babblng streams, bubbling fountains,
delightful gardens, and deep, outrageous
groves. The oases are very carefully
Watermelons are grown
over extensive areas, and afford the most
grateful alienation to the often over
powering heat; fruits of various kinds
are raised in great perfection, and tobacco
of the finest quality is produced in such
abundance as to place this necessary of
life for an Asiatic within the reach of
the poorest individual. The gardens,
Mr.. Schuyler says, constitute the beauty
Of this land. The long rows of poplar
md elm trees, the vineyards, and the
lark foliage of pomegranate, transport
me at once to the plains of Lombardy,
'r the south of France. In the early
pring the cities and their vicinity are
me mass of white and pink with the
bloom of almond, peach, cherry, apple.
lpricot and plum trees, which perfume
he air for miles around. These gardens
re the favorite resorts of the people in {
ummer, and well they may be, for no. {
7here are fruits more abundant, and of
ONE varieties nowhere are they better. f
The apricots and nectarines it would be s
to surpass. Peaches, though q
mailer in size. are said to possess q a
igher flavor than the best of England q
he large blue plums of Bokhara are S
over the whole of Asia. There d
re in common cultivation ten varieties c
melons. In that hot climate they are S
'nsidered particularly wholesome, and a
summer form one of the principal s.
'ticles of food. An acre of land prop Il
'ly prepared will produce in ordinary ii
ears from two to three thousand, and in W
BOD years double that quantity. II