VORONEJ, VORONETZ, or VORONESII

VORONEJ, VORONETZ, or VORONESII, a government of European Russia, bounded on the N. by those of Orlov and Tambov, E. by that of Saratov and the country of the Don Cossacks, S. by that of Ekaterinoslav, and W. by those of Charkov and Koursk. Length from N. to S., 285 miles;

Voronej breadth, 150; area, 25,691 square miles. The surface is undulating, with a general slope to the S.E., in which direction the Don, the principal river, flows. There are no mountains, and only a few low hills and ridges rise above the general level. The largest river is the Don, which receives all the drainage of the government. The principal tributaries that join it within the limits of Voronej are the Sosna from the right, and the Voronej and Bitjug from the left. The Donetz, which joins the Don after it leaves the government, forms for some distance the southern boundary of Voronej, and its affluent, the Oskot, waters the extreme W. of it; while, in the extreme N.E., the Cloper, another affluent of the Don, flows. Iron and salt-petre are the most important minerals; limestone and freestone are also obtained. The climate is agreeable and favourable to longevity, and most of the productions of temperate countries flourish; but the winters are severe, and the rivers are generally frozen for three months. The soil consists of clay or sand, covered with a rich vegetable mould, and produces the most luxuriant crops. The government is consequently one of the great agricultural regions of the empire, and yields a surplus of corn above what is required for domestic use, amounting, when there is a good harvest, to more than 2,000,000 quarters. The principal crops are wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, hemp, flax, and tobacco. Vines are grown in some places, and hops to a small extent. Much attention is paid to gardening, and various kinds of fruit, especially cherries and plums, are produced. The extent of arable land in the government in 1849 was 6,724,196 acres; of meadow land, 5,951,473 acres; and of wood, 1,013,232 acres. The forests are comparatively small in extent, but valuable, as there are among them many fine oak woods. The extensive pastures are very rich, especially along the banks of the rivers; and a large number of the inhabitants are occupied in pastoral pursuits. The government contained, in 1849, 815,350 horses, 444,832 horned cattle, 1,132,678 sheep, 227,007 swine, and 10,484 goats. The horses are for the most part of good breed, and many small studs are kept, as hunting is here a favourite amusement. Large numbers of bees are reared, and honey is an important production of the country. Manufactures have made considerable progress here, but they have not yet attained to much importance. Coarse woolen cloth, soap, tallow, and sugar are the chief articles made. The exports consist of corn, cattle, hides, honey, wax, fruits, and hardware. Besides Russians, the government contains Cossacks, some gipsies, and a small colony of Germans. Pop. (1856) 1,840,146.