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The last crags of the lower Hindukush, just above Bamyan. west and west there are also summer winds carrying hot air, brown dust and sand in a generally north-to-south direction. This is also called the "120 days dust storm". In Afghanistan, spring (March—May) is the rainy season. There are thunderstorms and floods in spring and occasionally in early summer. Other than this period and the winter months, the sky is of the deepest blue colour, and there are sunny days and starry nights everywhere. The Spin Ghar and parts of Hindukush's main range, with their perpetually snow-capped peaks, strike a most beautiful picture against the blue skies and brown or green countryside, according to the different seasons of the year. Spring and fall seasons are ideal, when the days and nights are comfortably cool and the atmosphere as a whole is invigorating. The autumn, however, has another advantage: many varieties of fruit, for which Afghanistan is famous, ripen and abound in markets all over the country. VEGETATION Deodar, common spruce, pine and larch are the conifers which grow in forests at levels from 6,000 to 10,000ft. These forests are located in Paktya and Nangarhar provinces. Other trees in these regions are yew, hazel, juniper, walnut, peach and almond. Species of hawthorn, blackberry, current, gooseberry, honeysuckle and roses are also found here. At lower heights in the north can be found citrous fruits and wild vines. Lower still and down to 3,000ft. there are walnut, oak, alder, ash, poplar, willow, roses, jasmine, acacia, sinjid (Elaeagnus angustifolia), pistachio, apricot, cherry, plum, quince, apple, pear, grapes and many other trees and shrubs. The lowest regions have citrous trees (in Nangarhar), palms, dates, figs and pomegranates. There are many varieties of medicinal herbs, some of which are also exported. Ferula asafetida (of which the gum resin 59