of dairy machinery also, especially separators, in the districts of Western Siberia and the Altai. Already competition is keen between English, Swedish and German firms for the introduction of this class of goods on the Siberian markets.
In addition to the above, mining machinery is now being imported into Siberia in considerable quantities. The mining industry in the past has been considerably handicapped by inferior machinery, but as improved methods become general in the country, so will the demand for the latest gold-dredging and ore-crushing apparatus increase also. In this branch of trade British firms are well to the fore.
The above are the principal articles of foreign import which are most in demand in Siberia at the present time. The amount of capital required for the placing of these goods on the Siberian markets is of far less moment than efficient management and administration. Commercial success in Siberia is above all else dependent upon the selection of the representatives who buy and sell the goods on the spot. In fact the foreign export trade to Siberia can be developed and retained only by the possession of "representatives." English firms trying to do business in Siberia through "agents" are far less likely to succeed than if they possess their own "representatives." The latter, moreover, must live on the spot and know the Russian language and deal direct with the Siberian peasant, for it is useless to try to carry on business without being personally in touch with the Siberians. Newly settled immigrants without capital cannot easily be persuaded to try expensive machinery, and it is thus essential that the representatives of foreign agricul-
