Cultivation yields a point of honor and ingenuity
In the heart of Siberia, the picturesque town of Biysk is currently facing a series of challenges in its agricultural sector. Major Kleytin, a local figure, recently demonstrated the resilience of root vegetables and various dishes prepared from them to the town's people, as the fields are in dire conditions due to the mud-stuck machinery and the cold, rainy weather that has created conditions for fungal diseases, affecting tomatoes and now potatoes.
This isn't the first time Biysk's farmers have had to contend with such adversity. Over a century ago, apple and pear orchards faced similar difficulties in the 19th century. Yet, the town's horticultural history is far from bleak. Ivan Kleytin, the commander of the Biysk Fortress, initiated the experimental planting of potatoes in Biysk and nearby villages in the mid-18th century.
Fast forward to the mid-20th century, and Rostislav Sharov made significant strides in Siberian viticulture, developing a technology for growing heat-loving plants, including grapes, in Siberia. Some gardeners in Biysk were able to harvest grapes this year despite the rain and downy mildew, with sweet berries reported.
Elena Kozylova, with memories associated with flowers from her youth, where she helped her aunt prepare for a dance contest, is particularly concerned about the current state of the crops, but also the flowers, as lilies are rotting and exotic annuals in pots and tubs have to be moved under the roof.
In an effort to boost the cultivation of fruit trees, merchant and city head Yakov Alekseevich Sakharov introduced their growth in the rural schools of Biysk Uyezd in the 19th century. Notable among the town's horticulturists are L. I. Melnikova and V. A. Lukashenkina, who grew various types of grapes on their plots.
E. N. Beliaeva, a seamstress from the "Central" hotel, grew heat-loving plants like watermelons and sweet peppers that were equal in size and taste to those brought from the southern republics. Autumn contests and exhibitions were popular events in the Soviet Union, with various produce being displayed, including giant vegetables and uniquely shaped root crops.
Nikolai Yadrintsev, who visited Biysk in 1880, noted attempts to grow apples by Sakharov. The weather in August and September of the second year has been causing problems for farmers and gardeners, leading to crop loss. However, the spirit of resilience and innovation in Biysk's horticulture remains undeterred.
Despite the current challenges, the town's rich horticultural history serves as a testament to the determination and ingenuity of its people. As the seasons change, so too does the hope for a bountiful harvest in Biysk.
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