THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

s. Among the descendants Documentary Supplement 187 of these poor emigrants, who often pushed or pulled their own small wagons, many now belong to the wealthiest Mennonites in Russia.] In the two [three] years since they had arrived, they were able to finish most of their homes. This, indeed, leaves a very positive impression of their activity, especially if one remembers what is involved in building such homes in this country. Already these industrious people own well-built windmills equipped to bag flour. Because of the absence of a market, the flour, which we found to be white and finely ground, is still only used in their own homes. They brought a load of butter to Taganrog which was so eagerly bought up that they immediately saw to it that two more shipments were sent. Livestock inventory: these Mennonites not only brought many cattle, horses and sheep along with them from Prussia, but also breeding stock. Even though their women preferred the sheep brought from Prussia because of their longer wool, they have nevertheless received [from the crown] seven Spanish [Merino] rams and five ewes from Odessa. In order to improve their strain, they want to acquire 140 large white Russian sheep for purposes of cross-breeding. Regrettably, many sheep were stolen. It is too bad there is a total absence of timber. Not even a wild shrub on the Molotschna River. They have to attempt to get the lumber they need from the Dnieper, some sixty to seventy versts away. The Sea of Azov is approximately the same distance removed. However, nature has seen to it that they will never suffer a shortage of fuel for burning, since the grass of the steppes grows so lush and so tall that one can barely make his way through it [O where has that grass gone to!]; moreover, a type of bulrush grows in the river that can be used for fuel. [Soon they also began to use manure, pressed into bricks, for fuel, which continues to this day.] All of them assert that they are quite satisfied, and if only they were finished with their initial arrangements they would turn their hand to the arts and crafts. [Freely used.] c) The same traveller, from whom most of number 1 was taken, writes the following about Molotschna between 1817 and 1820. The land, which is level here, is considered more fertile than that of the Old Colony. Nevertheless, aside from that which has been planted, not even a tree or shrub can be found. Every effort is made to remedy this situation by planting trees. Farming is carried on the same way here as in the Old Colony. Anim al husbandry, however, appears easier because there is a better supply of grass and water. And yet this colony has suffered more from anim al diseases than the old one. Now they have provided the so-called “Tschumacken” [Russian oxen drivers], to whom they ascribe the transmission of the disease, with a special road [the “salt road”] so that they dare no longer make contact with the colony. Cattl