certainly far less indebted to the hand of man.  He tells us, however,
    that in the interior, several species of corn are brought to
    perfection and many kinds of vegetables are cultivated.  In his opinion
    the climate is not so bad as it has generally been represented, and he
    is convinced that the indolence of the inhabitants, and the incapacity
    occasioned by the immoderate use of spirits, are far more in fault as
    to the deficiency or unproductiveness of the soil, than the frequent
    fogs which are so much complained of, or any other unkindness on the
    part of nature.  In proof of this, he maintains that the officers who
    are garrisoned here, have laid out gardens for themselves, which, by
    proper care, yield almost every kind of vegetable necessary for the
    table, and that too in quantities beyond the usual demand.  Besides the
    materially efficient checks already mentioned, this gentleman
    specifies a very unreasonable notion, pretty commonly entertained,
    which has operated extensively in limiting the productions of the
    earth, and from which not even the officers who had been successful in
    their particular pursuits were altogether exempt.  The notion to which
    he alludes is, that it would be useless to commence cultivating their
    gardens before the month of July, although, to his certain knowledge,
    June was as beautiful as it can possibly be in the most favoured
    climate, and though, according to Captain King, wild garlic, cellery,
    and nettles, were gathered for his crew in the month of May.  The
    inference from this last circumstance seems obviously correct.  “If,”
    says Krusenstern, “in the middle of May so much is already produced
    without any cultivation at all, I think I do not assert too much in
    saying they ought to begin to lay out their gardens in this month.” 
    This conclusion appears still more importantly authoritative from what
    he relates on his own experience.  “I passed all the summer months in
    Kamtschatka,” says he, “during the two years of my absence; that is to
    say, the whole of June, a part of July, and the whole of August and
    September, and can affirm with confidence, that, in these four months,
    there are just as many pleasant cheerful days as in any other place
    under the same latitude.”  On the whole then, one may readily concur in
    sentiment with this intelligent officer, that did the government adopt
    very different measures from those which have hitherto been in force,
    and were certain practices and prejudices abolished, Kamtschatka might
    afford as good and cheap living as many other provinces of the Russian
    empire.  To most readers, it is probable, this will seem no very mighty
    recommendation.  Relatively, however, to the person who makes it, and