Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-08-25
area were made over to Alexander H.,

neyoient disposition, who established
here model plantation, and colonized
IL with about 300 emancipated serfs.
The headquarters of the plantation,
which are on an excessive scale, are
located at the railway station called
Bairam All. about ten miles east of
Merry and Immediately south OF the
ruins OF the ancient city of that name
The cars plantation has never paid
a profit Indeed. 1T costs an average
of $4,000 a year to meet the deficits.
But II the privy purse were not behind
the enterprise the management would
doubtless be more economical and the
expenses would be diminished, even
| If the earnings were not increased.
There are about 800 worlymen--Rus-
SLAMS. Kirghiz, Tekkes. Afghans and
other natives-under the direction OF
Russian superintendent and several
| assistants who are provided with com.
Portable residences and are furnished
with most of their supplies. Several
American experts have been employed
at one time or another to instruct the
colonists in the art of cultiyating cot.
ton and in the use of modern nipple.
ments and machinery. There Is
Greek orthodox church where the en-.
ployes may worship; hospital and
FREQ dispensary, with surgeon and
free nurses, where they may go II
| they are sick or injured. The repair
shops are big enough for dozen such
compress and cotton seed oil mill
with American machinery; a bakery
where employees can buy bread, ba-
zaar where they can obtain other sup.
| plies, and fruit-canning establish.
ment equipped with the latest ap.
paratus, where tomatoes and other
vegetables are canned, and strawberry
and apricot jams and preserves are
made for the market Everything Is
run by electricity generated with pc
troleum fuel.
The cotton crop will average about
500 pounds to the acre, with 100000
acres under cultivation. Part of II is
leased on cash rental, part Is work.
| ed by shares and the remainder Is
cultivated by the superintendent OF the
estate as model for the education OF
the farmers of Turkestan and for ex-
detrimental purposes. 1t is altogether
an expensive, fancy plainly with sew
eral purely ornamental features, and
a great deal of the earnings are vast.
ed In the purchase OF new machinery
that is not needed and in experiments
that are not always wise.
| There Is decided difference OF
opinion as TO the effect OF the cars
example. Some critics insist that 1t Is
pernicious and that It has done a
great deal of harm by misleading the
native farmers into the adoption OF
extravagant methods. The usefulness
of such an establishment is always
governed by the economies 1t can
tleman remarked, economy Is the only
thing that is not taught on the czar's
farm.
Turkestan ranks second to the Unit
ed States as cotton producer. ano
the annual crop is now greater than
that of Egypt or India. Cotton has
always grown here. 1t is indigenous to
the soil. and SO far back as tradition
reaches the people have produced the
material out of which their cotton
gowns were made. Knowing this, Gen
eral Kaufman, the conqueror OF Tur.
kestan and the first governor general
following the broad-minded policy that
characterized his administration from
the start. introduced American seed
and methods OF cultivation and intec.
ested the mill men OF Mocow and
other manufacturing cities of Russia
for the encouragement Of the native
planters. To him Russi.- owes the sue
cess of the most important economic
problem ever undertaken in this part
OF the world. Russian manufacturers
have Invested considerable capital ia
p,an.a..ons and irrigation works anc
the indurtry has been extended until
It 4. Low the most extensive and the
most Profitable in rIraestan The
limits % the irrigated asea extend zig
far OH III as Tashkend aud as far eaEt
as Andiian. the terminus OF the Cen
tai Asia railroad, upon the borders %
China. Millions OF acres more might
be reclaimed. and a considerable acre
aye Is being ADDED to rne productive
a-ea every year. but tho cost Of irri.
gari,n Plants requires large capi
tai. 1t is a matter for syndiontes. no;
to- iat .viduals.
| lie cotton seed oil industry Is also
v" imr ortant. This natives win con
sims all of the 81 ltat can mo pro
duced. and tho cake proves TO be The
best camel food known. 1t is so cor
yeniently carried; II contains higher
degree OF nourishment for its bulk
and weight than any forage; heat and
dampness do not spoil 1t. and 1t can
be handled with the minimum OF trou.
BILE.