OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA.

4*

of the ground, fpeedily form a tuft or head, from which a fewyoung fhoots are annually raifed, with a view to produce fruitin the fucceeding year. This treatment, in a proper, humidfoil, is more profitable than any other, while it is attendedwith uncommon advantage in the fale of vineyards; beeaufeeach vine or bufh is, on fuch occafions, generally valued at oneruble. On the approach of winter, the vines in this countryare, as high as the third knot or eye y covered with accumulatedearth; which is removed and fpread on the ground in themonth of April, when the young fhoots already begin to appear.Hence the vines are in bloflom at a much earlier period, andthe grapes attain to maturity nearly a whole month fooner thanthofe growing in the fouthern vallies, where the plants arenever covered. The frequent ftirring of the foil alfo re-markably contributes to its fertility. But it likewife occa-fionally happens, that a late vernal froft defeats the profpect ofan annual crop; and I have farther remarked, that in thisclimate the uncovered vines, even during the fevere winters of1798 and 1799, fuftained no injury.

The Katfha, though collecling its waters from numerousvallies and hollow glens, and uniting with feveral large brooks,is neverthelefs a fhallower rivulet than either the Belbek orAlma: its courfe is more wefterly than that of the latter,gliding along higher mountains, between the Babugan-Yailaand the lofty Mount Potamis, and at length difcharging itfelfinto the fea, in a direcYion nearly parallel with the two ftreamslad mentioned. Heavy fhowers, as well as the waters ofmelted fnow, frequently fwell the current of this rivulet to aconfiderable height; yet fuch increafe is of fhort duration ; and, .

G during

VOL. 11.