Many peasants in the Maritime Province do not raise enough flour for their own use, and rely upon government when there is a deficiency.
It is my opinion that the Emperor does too much for some of his subjects in the eastern part of his dominions.

In Kamchatka and along the coast of the Ohotsk sea the people are supplied with flour at a low price or for nothing, a ship coming annually to bring it.

It has been demonstrated that agriculture is possible in Kamchatka.

When I asked why rye was not raised there, one reply was: "We get our flour from government, and have no occasion to make it." Now if the government would furnish the proper facilities for commencing agriculture, and then throw the inhabitants on their own resources, I think it would make a decided change for the better.

A self-reliant population is always the best.
Some of the colonists on the Amoor went there of their own accord, induced by liberal donations of land and materials, while others were moved by official orders.