L. Pavlov

“ When we consider that cotton is used also for other purposes, the importance of the cotton industry for Russia becomes quite apparent. But, while the need of cotton is growing very fast and is reaching enormous proportions, the raising of cotton is not able to keep pace with the industrial demand. Despite the fact that there exists a very high import duty on cotton, equal to almost fifty per cent of its value, Russia still imports about one-half of the cotton that she needs. ”

“ The problem of raising cotton in Russia in sufficient amounts to supply the home market has received a great deal of attention and study in the course of the past fifteen years. Considerable data have been collected concerning the possibilities of a large development of this industry, and the conclusions reached are very interesting. It appears that Russia possesses in one corner of her vast territory, a region well adapted to the raising of cotton of at least one variety, American cotton, which is used so extensively for manufacturing and other purposes. ”

“ While by far the most important cotton-producing region of Russia, Turkestan is not the only part of the Empire where cotton can be grown and is grown at the present time. In Transcaucasia the cotton-growing industry is much older than in Turkestan, although neither the size of the territory nor the general soil and climatic conditions are as favorable there as they are in Turkestan. ”