'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎75] (106/714)

Til AN SC ASPIA
75
figures of cultivable area which have from time to time been
officially presented by the Russian authorities. First it was said
that 800,000 acres would be irrigated and fertilised ; then the
figures fell to 300,000 acres; and the descending scale has even
touched at its lowest point, the humble total of 18,000 acres. The
last-named estimate is probably as much below the mark as the
others are above it. Nor, if the work be properly carried out,
does there appear to be any reason why considerable results should
not be attained ; inasmuch as in the Middle Ages and down to a
century ago, when the forerunner of the new dam was destroyed
in war by the Bokhariots, it was owing to this and similar
irrigation works that the district of Merv won a repute for splendid
fertility unequalled in the East. Should a large extent of ground
be successfully reclaimed, it will of course admit of a greatly
augmented population, M. Poklefski being of opinion that the
entire oasis would support a total of 1,000,000 inhabitants. One
hundred families of Dungans (Chinese Mohammedans) and Taran-
chis (Turki Mohammedans) from Kulja have been transported
to Merv as an experiment in colonisation ; and it is said that
several hundred more families (presumably European) have been
engaged as settlers on the Czar's estate. The only other tract
where irrigation, followed, it is hoped, by colonisation, is to be
undertaken on a large scale, is on the right bank of the Amu
Daria, between that river and the Zerafshan, where the Russian
Government is reported to be negotiating with the Amir of
Bokhara for the cutting of a canal from the Oxus.
Recent figures of the rolling stock now on the Transcaspian
Railway differ slightly; but the following totals may be regarded
Rolling as approximately correct. There are from 120 to loO
stock locomotives upon the entire line, and a total of over
2,000 waggons, trucks, and cars of every description. The number
of cistern-cars for the transport of water or petroleum is said now
to be 150. These figures show that improvement is being made ;
although the standard that is required alike by commercial and
military considerations has not yet been reached. General
Annenkoff's passion for economy and a plausible balance-sheet,
though excellent in their way, have somewhat retarded the proper
development of the railway.
A triple wire runs parallel to the line from the Caspian to
Samarkand, whence it is continued to Tashkent; whilst branch