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Machine transcription
valley, such as oranges and lemons, and great varieties of
deciduous fruits-such as apricots, peaches, plums, pears,
apples, etc.
By the middle of March or the Naoroz (New Year's Day,
corresponding to the 21st of March) the winter breaks up. The
spring moves in everywhere-showery, sometimes even windy
and rather cold. But by the beginning of May the sun begins
to assert itself; the weather continuing pleasant until the
beginning of June, when the increasing heat in most areas drives
the people to "yelaq", that is the countryside or the adjoining
hills. Judging from the physique, strength and activities of the
inhabitants, we should pronounce the Afghan climate on the
whole bracing and favourable to the human constitution. Those
who have felt the refreshing effects of the strong winds of its
lofty mountains and highlands, need not fear for their health
and comfort.
The great difference between the seasons and the quickness
with which they change has a striking effect on the customs and
dress of the inhabitants. In winter all are clad in long woollen
garments or skins called Posteen.
They have fires constantly in their houses, and often sleep
around stoves (or sandalies). When spring sets in and the
snow suddenly disappears, the country is covered with a green
carpet of young grass, the buds burst forth, and are soon
followed by a profusion of beautiful gay flowers, reminding one
of these lines:
And here's that glorious life in bloom,
Gone are the blankets too,
As Nature starts to paint again,
And man comes out to view.
Roughly two thirds of characters agree with a modern printed edition of the same text. Much of the disagreement is editorial, not misreading. Treat the transcription as a finding aid and read the page image before quoting. How this was measured.