RANGE OF VEGETATION IN TURKESTAN , THE ARALO-CASPAIN BASIN ,Asiatic Russia,Antique Map

1890s HISTORICAL MAP CHART

As a whole the flora of Turkestan is identical with that of Central Asia, which was formerly continued by geo-botanists as far west as the steppes of Russia, but which must now be considered as a separate region subdivided into twothe Central Asian proper and that of the Gobi. It has its own habitus, notwithstanding the number of species it has in common with Siberia and south-east Russia on the one hand and with the Himalayas on the other, and this habitus is due to the dryness of the climate and the consequent changes undergone by the soil. Towards the end, of the Glacial period the Tian-shan Mountains had a flora very like that of northern Caucasia, combining the characteristics of the flora of the European Alps and the flora of the Altai, while the prairies had a flora vely much like that of the south Russian steppes. During the Stone Age the human inhabitants lived in forests of maple, white beech and apple trees. But the gradual desiccation of the country resulted.the immigcation from the Central Asian plateau of such species as could adapt themselves to the dry climate and soil. The Pamir vegetation and that of the Aral-Caspian steppes constitute two types with numberless intermediate gradations. There is no arboreal vegetation on the Pamir, except a few willows and tamarisks along the rivers. Mountain and valley alike are carpeted with soft grass, various species of Festuca predominating. In the immediate vicinity of water the sedge (Carex physoides) grows, and sporadic patches of A Ilium. To these may be added a few Ranunculaceae, some Myoso~is, the common Taraxacum, one species of Chamomilla, and a few Leguminosae. In the north and west the Stipa of the Russian steppes supersedes Festuca and affords splendid pasture for the herds of the Kara-Kirghiz. In the gorges and on the better-watered slopes of the mountains the herbaceous vegetation becomes luxuriant. Besides the above-named there are many other Gramineae, such as Lasiagrostis splendens, the whole seas of Scabiosae. Eremurus, 6 to 7 ft. in height, forms thickets along with Scorodosma foelida. The northern slopes of the Aiai chain are richer in trees. Up to 12,000 ft. full-grown specimens occur of the arches or juniper (Juniperus pseudo-Sabina), characteristic of the whole northern slopes of the Turkestan highlands, the poplar, spruces, cedars, a very few birches (B. Sogdiana), and a copious undergrowth of shrubs familiar in European gardens, such as Rhododendron chrysanthum, Sorbus ciucuparia (rowan), Berberis heteropoda (berberry), Lonicera Talarica (honeysuckle) and Crataegus (hawthorn). Farther east and north comes the Turkestaii pine (Picea Schrenkicsna), while at lower levels there grow willows, black and white poplars, tamarisk, Celtis, as well as Elaeagnus (wild olive), Hippo phae rhamnoi-des (sallow thorn), Rubusfructicosus (blackberry), Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) and P. A rmcnl-aca (apricot). The characteristic poplar, Populus diversifolia, and the dwarf Acer Lobelii very different from the European maplealso occur. The above applies to most of the highlands of the Tian-shan. The drier southern slopes are quite devoid of arboreal vegetation. On the northern slopes, at the higher levels, Juniperus pseudo-Sabina is the only tree that grows on the mountains, and luxuriant meadow grasses cover the syrts. Lewer down, at 7500 to 8000 ft. the coniferous zone begins, Characterized by the Picea- Schrenkiana. Of course the juniper and a few other deciduous trees also occur. The richest zone is that which comes next, extending downwards to 5000 and 4500 ft. There woods of birch, several species of poplar, the maple (Acer Semenovii), and thick underwoods spread ovor the mountain slopes. Orchards of apple and apricot surround the villages., The meadows are clothed with a rich vegetation numberless Paeoniae, Scabiosae, Convolvulaceae, Campanulac, Eremurus, Umbelliferae, Gallium, Rosaceae, Altheae, Glycyrrhizae, Scorodosma foelida and Gramineae. But as soon as the soil loses its fertile humus it produces only a few Phiomis, Alhagi cameloruni, Psammae, Salsolctceae, Arteniisiae, Peganuni and some poppies and Chamomillae, but only, in the spring. The invading steppe plants appear everywhere in patches in the Turkestan meadows. The culture or apricot zone is followed by the prairie belt, in which black-earth plants (Slipa and the like) struggle for existence against invading Central Asian forms. And then come the lowlands and deserts with their moving sandy barkhans, shors and takyrs . Two species of poplar (P. pruinosa and P. diversifolia), Elaeagn-us angustifoiia, the ash, and a few willows grow along the rivers. Large areas are wholly destitute of vegetation, and after crossing 100 m. of such a desert the,traveller will occasionally come upon a forest of saksaul (Anabasis Amnioden dron). Contorted stems, sometimes of considerable thickness, ye hard, and covered with a grey ctacked bark, rise out of the san bearing green plumes with small greyish leaves and pink fruit. Sometimes the tree is a mere knot peeping above the sand with a sheaf of thin branches. In spring, however, the steppe assumes quite another aspect, being clothed, except ~ihere the sands are shifting, with an abundance of vegetation. Persian species penetrate into Bokhara and the region of the upper Amu. Vegetable Products.As already stated the climate of Turkestan varies considerably,from north to south. In Akmolinsk and Semiryechensk most of the kinds of corn which characterize Middle Russia are grown. South of the Chu and the Syr-darya gardening is a considerable industry; and, although rye and wheat continue to be the chief crops, the cfiltivationof the apple, and especially of the aprrcot, acquired importance. Attempts are also made to cultivate the vine. The inhabjtants of the neighborhood of Tashkent and Samarkand, as well as those of the much morenorthern but better sheltered Kuija oasis, add the cultivation of the almond, pomegranate and fig. Vines are grown and Cotton planted in those districts. Finally, about Khojent and in Ferghana, where the climate is milder still, the vine and the pistachio tree cover the hills, while agrrculture and horticulture have reached a high degree of perfec tion. Successful attempts are being made to grow the tea-plant in the Transcaspian region. Large numbers of oleaginous plants are ctiltivated, such as sunflower. AgricultureThe arable land, being limited to the irrigated terraces of bess, occupies little more than 2 % of the whole area of West Ttirkestan. The remainder is divided between pasture land (less than 44%) and desert (54%). Owing to a very equitable distribution of irrigation water in accordance with Moslem law, agriculture and gardening have reached a high stage of development in the oases. Altogether close upon 4,000,000 acres are irrigated, and the crops are usually taken every year. Wheat, barley, millet, pease, lentils, rice, sorghum, lucerne and cotton are the chief agricultural products. Carrots, melons, vegetable marrows, cucumbers and onions are extensively grown. Rye and oats are cultivated at Kazalinsk and Kopal. Corn is exported. Owing to the irrigation, total failure of crops and consequent famines areunknown, unless among the Kirghiz shepherds. The kitchen gardens of the Mahommedans are, as a rule, admirably kept. Potatoes are grown only by the Russians. The cultivation of cotton is extendin rapidlyfrom 1300 acres in 5883 to 531,000 acres in 1902, of whic 402,000 acres were, in Ferghana. Sericulture, a growing industry, is chiefly carried on in Ferghana, whence silk cocoons are an important item of export, the output having doubled between 1892 and 1903 (3869 tons). Livestock breeding is extensively pursued. The flocks of sheep on the Kirghiz steppe are so large that the proprietors themselves do not know their exact numbers.

1890s Wood Engraving, Antique Map

Approximate Overall Size: 7 X 10 1/2 inches

CONDITION: Book Plate INTEXT MAP - Excellent Condition. Beautiful with excellent detail. There is Text on Front and Back Side.