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NEW PLANS FOR IRRIGATION 201
Wc had now gone pretty thoroughly into the whole plan
for taking water from the Zanga to irrigate these two large
areas, together amounting to 16,000 dessiatins, and it im
pressed us very favourably. Moreover, it was obvious that
it would be a great advantage for Erivan to have its surround
ings on two sides brought under cultivation ; it would increase
the wealth and prosperity of the place, not to speak of the
enormous gain to the landscape when all these slopes around
the town were transformed into beautiful gardens and green
fields. For us, who had also to consider the settlement of
the refugees, the plan had this further advantage, that during
the construction of the canals, etc, wc could far more easily
arrange for the temporary accommodation and maintenance
of the refugees near Erivan than out in the Sardarabad plain ;
and in every way the work would be rendered easier. Well
satisfied with our day’s work, wc returned to the hotel.
At seven o’clock that evening, while I was sitting writing,
a sudden storm blew up. It came from a dark, threatening
rain-cloud which was passing over the mountains to the north.
The wind bent and shook the great trees in the park, whirling
clouds of dust high into the air so that one could not see the
houses opposite, and blowing people helplessly along the
street. It lasted half an hour, then gradually subsided, and
by eight o’clock, when wc went out, the weather was quite
fine again. These sudden storms are of frequent occurrence ;
the same thing happened on the day of the cloud-burst.
Otherwise, as I have said, the first part of the day is generally
still; later in the afternoon there is often a breeze, which
would be refreshing in the hot, dry sunshine, were it not for
the white dust that it raises. The streets are splashed with
the water that runs in the gutters, but in vain, for the surface
dries up again at once.
At 8 p.m. Professor Bedelian, the botanist, gave a lecture
in the Museum on Norway. It will be remembered that he
had visited the country twice, travelling as far as the North
Cape ; and he gave a very interesting and sympathetic account
of our country and its people. There was a large audience,
and the lecture, illustrated by excellent slides, was received
with enthusiastic applause.
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