The grain is brought by the peasants from great distances, and stored in large granaries by the merchants, who send it to Moscow or St.Petersburg.In former days this was a very tedious operation.

The boats containing the grain were towed by horses or stout peasants up the rivers and through the canals for hundreds of miles.

Then came the period of "cabestans"-- unwieldly machines propelled by means of anchors and windlasses.

Now these primitive methods of transport have disappeared.

The grain is either despatched by rail or put into gigantic barges, which are towed up the river by powerful tug-steamers to some point connected with the great network of railways.
When the traveller has visited the Cathedral and the granaries he has seen all the lions--not very formidable lions, truly--of the place.