South of this lies the Cold Region, in which the mean annual temperature varies between 32° and 40°. The sonthern limit of this region begins on the shores of the Baltic, on the Gulf of Rigs, about 58° N. lat., and runs hence east-south-east to the confluence of tho Moakwa and Oka, near 55' N. lat., whence it continues in the same direction towards the southern extremity of the Ural Mountains, terminating south of Uralsk on the river Ural, near 51' N. lat. The winter in the northern districts lasts from coven to eight months, and in the southern districts from five to six months. The Neva is generally covered with ice from the 27th of November to the 19th of April. The quicksilver sometimes freezes at Ploetow, in the interior. Both spring and autumn are short, and the passage from cold to heat, and vice verso, is rather rapid. But in summer the heat is for two or three weeks very great. The thermometer then rises to 86°, and even 90'. In the interior both the heat and the cold are greater than on the coast. At Casan the thermometer in winter generally descends to 28' below zero, and in summer it rises to 05' and 96°. The aurora borealis is frequently seen, especially in March, June, July, and September.
The Temperate Region extends over the southern provinces as far north as the line above mentioned. Its mean annual temperature varies between 40' and 50', but in the Crimea and in the country between the Dniester and Danube it rises to 54' and This region is distinguished by severe though short winters, and by long and very hot summers. Night-frosts are frequent in October and November, but continual frost does not set in before the middle of December, and it lasts to the middle or end of February. West of the Don the frost is often interrupted by a few days thaw. The frost is intense while it lasts, the thermometer generally sinking in the western die triete to 12' below zero, and in the eastern districts to –20'. From the and of February the cold becomes more moderate, but the weather continues to be raw ; and there are night-frosts during the north-east winds, which at that season are the most frequent. In the middle of May however a sudden change takes place. In a few days the heat Increases to such a degree as to become oppressive. In June and July it still continues increasing until the thermometer rises to betwceu 90' and 100'. From the middle of August however the heat rapidly decreases, and in September nightefrosta sometimes occur. In the hot season south-east and east winds are prevalent. The countries which border on the Baltio and on the White Sea have a wet climate, and rain is frequent all tho year round : in winter a vast quantity of snow falls.
Productioas.--Runia produces a considerable surplus of grain for exportation. Rye is the great corn crop, which, except in the steppes and the Arctic Region, may be grown lu all parts of tho empire. The greatest quantity is produced between the cataracts of the Dnieper on the south and the river Volga on the north, but the cultivation extends to the mouth of the Dwina, 65 N. lat. It does not always ripen north of the Volga, owing to the shortness of the summer and the moisture of the atmosphere; and it is generally necessary to dry the grain in buildings constructed for that purpose. The cultivation of barley extends to 67' N. let. Oats do not succeed north of 62' N. lat. In some provinces which have a poor soil, and in the districts through which the great roads and lines of inland water-communication run, the cultivation of oats is very extensive. Wheat is the principal object of agriculture in the fertile tracts along the rivers in the southern districts, but especially in the Ukraine; farther north it is lees grown, though it succeeds as far north as 58' or 59' N. lat. Millet is exten• steely grown In the elevated country which surrounds the upper CoUrO° of the Oka, Don, and Deana, and in some other districts south of 55° N. 1st In Southern Russia maize is cultivated south of 4S• N. lat.
Flax and hemp are more extensively grown than in any other country in Europe. Along the river Don, and even on the steppes of the Volga near Sarepta, flax and hemp are found in a wild state. They succeed as far north as 65' N. 1st, and both, together with hemp seed and tlaz.seed, constitute important articles of export from Arch. angel, St. Petersburg, Riga, and tho Sea of Azof. Tobacco is much cultivated in the Ukraine.
The climate of Russia is not favourable to the cultivation of fruit trees. With the exception of wild cherries and some bad apples, no fruits grow north of 56' N. lat. Other fruits are imported from foreign countries. l'ears and plums are only grown to any extent south of 53' N. let. In the most southern districts there are peaches, apricots, quinces, mulberries, and walnut.; and in the extensive orchard. of the Crimea there are also almonds and potnegrenatee. ()rapes are chiefly cultivated in the districts along the lower course of the Don, on the Volga ahoy. garepte, and in the Crimea. The wino is generally ill made and of inferior quality, but the produce of the vineyards on the Don, called Danish calve, Is said to bo hardly inferior to French champagne.