everything is tilled and the natural meadows have given way to fields oflucerne. In the fields I saw roughly made two-wheeled carts, reminiscent of our northern farm-carts, used for carting manure. The model was probably obtained from Russia.
Not only Russian money, both coin and notes, but also Chinese silver constantly enjoys a higher rate here than in Kashgar. At present the rate for the rouble is 92 in Kashgar, 97 here and in Aqsu it is said to be 99 or even its full parity. For i lan here r6 tenga and io tchok (4.0 cop.), are paid, in Kashgar 16 tenga. — In weights there seems also to be some difference, but I could not make out if this was due to grain being measured here by its volume and in Kashgar by weight. 8 tcheraks here are said to be equal to io tcheraks in Kashgar. If goods, such as tea etc., are bought in Kashgar, there is a difference of 5 % instead of the 20 % referred to. In Uch Turfan and Aqsu 26 djin are supposed to be equal to r Russian pood (361bs); in Kashgar, Yarkand, Urumchi and Qarashahr 27 djin; in Kucha, on the other hand, 25 djin. In Yarkand and Khotan only 121/2 djin go to the tcherak. I was not able to get an explanation of these differences through my interpreter.
Besides the known caravan route over Bedel there are 3 roads from here across the mountains to Semiretchie.
I. Over the Gugurtlik pass along a river bed, about r 1/2 fathoms wide, enclosed by mountain walls. For a distance of about 3 fathoms Yaqub Beg had it closed by tumbling trees and stones across it, though the largest are said not to be too large for a man to lift. In the course of time the water has increased the obstacle by carrying down stones, earth and clay. Smugglers, who use this road, circumvent the obstacle by using a mountain path made by sheep. This, however, is also said to be impassable at present owing to landslides in two places. — The following halts for the night are usually made on this road: — 2 Uzunsass with. Kirghiz water, grass and poor fuel. — 3 Tchakart not far on the
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