In relation to the climate, our climate is in very favorable conditions but on par with the rest of the Stavropol province. Adjacent directly to the Kuban basin, the upper reaches of the Kalaus benefit in sufficient quantities from moisture brought by southwestern winds. Once upon a time, like western clouds, having passed through the lower reaches of the Kuban, the heights of Stryzhament and the Stavropol region are blowing and bursting into heavy downpour, the stormy season still has quite a bit of rain left; the Kalinovsky Ridge, which lies 20 turns to the east, receives only the remnants of moisture, and then the clouds are iceless sweep over the Trukhmen and Kalyitsky steppes, rising higher and higher and gradually melting into the dry atmosphere of these steppes. A significant amount of atmospheric moisture and the degree of heat that the upper reaches of the Kalaus have enjoyed from time immemorial served as the cause of chemical processes in zealous life, resulting in the accumulation of re-
— 99 —pus in the soil. It goes without saying that on the southern, steeper and more strongly warmed slopes, the opportunities for rotting plant remains are less favorable than on the sloping northern ones; Consequently, the accumulation of humus on the latter should be greater than on the former, which is actually observed.
The area we are considering is distinguished by the absence of springs, wells and water in the rivers. The only source of water supply is dams arranged along the beams. Due to the significant salinity of the local soil, the water retained in the balk by a dam is not subject to such rapid overgrowth by algae, mold and generally rotting as in other places in the south of Rosea. But despite this, the construction of dams is extremely primitive. Embankments one and a half, many two arshins high and half an arshin wide are most often built along the beams. With a windy bluff or less significant rain, the dams are destroyed, and the residents of Nerfdko are left for a long time without water. To my surprise, it seems that Udflnoye pays little attention to this promise. Until now, it received income from its 112 thousand. dessiatines of land from the allocation of large plots for grazing cattle and sheep, and partly for agricultural arable land. The rental conditions were approximately 60 kopecks. per year for a tithe for a period of 12 lft. But after 4-5 days the cost of land rose to 2 rubles. 30 kopecks for a tithe of nodes sheep breeding and up to 3 rubles. under the bakery for a period of 9 ft. Previously, sheep and sheep farming predominated here; there were tenants, holding 15, 25 and 40 thousand heads of sheep. But in recent years, large leases have been replaced by small ones. Hunting people take the land for cultivation in small plots. Consequently, the flints are thrown open, and as a result, in the general panic of air pollution, it turns out, as usual, an intensified roar, the edge dries out. According to the recent work of the geologist Mr. Ivanov and Mr. Dementyev, it is clear that the drying up of the Stavropol province depends on the extermination of the Lfs, who were here not so long ago, on the burning of the black soil virgin steppes, and also because, but due to the isolation of the Kuma-Manyche expedition, a decrease in The basin (shrinked up) of the Kassian Sea, which has shrunk by 300.50 liters in its surface over the last 100 lBt, therefore exposing its sands by 1,500,000 dessiatines. Of course, the last reason is spontaneous, its influence is still did not affect the upper reaches of the Kalaus, but as for arable farming, all the disastrous consequences will soon appear if timely measures are not taken. Among the latter, without a doubt, we must include the construction of frequent capital dams and beams. divorced. In any case, both will improve the situation of the tenants and ultimately increase the profitability of the land.