List of Maps and Figures
Maps
Molochna region xvii
1 Land distribution xviii
2 Soil zones xix
3 Annual precipitation xx
4Verbova village, 1848 xxi
Figures
1.1 Annual precipitation at Ohrloff, 1841-1855 7
1.2 Average monthly precipitation at Ohrloff, 1841-1855 8
1.3 Average monthly temperatures at Ohrloff, 1841-1855 10
2.1 Patterns of administrative authority in Molochna 22
2.2 Meat and wheat meal prices in Molochna, 1819-1822 27
3.1 Livestock in Molochna, 1843-1861 48
3.2 Nogai grazing land required and available, 1807-1837 53
3.3 Rye and wheat prices in Melitopol uezd and Tavria guberniia, 1817-1821 61
3.4 Livestock holdings, 1814-1827 65
3.5 Differentiation in Mennonite villages, 1808 76
5.1 Average wheat harvest per desiatina on one Miinsterburg farm, 1806-1861 123
5.2 Livestock and agricultural implements in the Molochna Menno- nite settlement, 1835 132
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Acknowledgments
I have accrued more debts of gratitude during my years of research and writing in Canada, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine than I can ever properly repay.
These acknowledgments only touch the surface.I thank Professor Harvey L. Dyck (University of Toronto), my friend and mentor, who supervised the PhD thesis from which this book originated. His contagious enthusiasm and his dedication to getting it right remain a constant source of inspiration. Thanks as well to Professor RobertJohnson (University of Toronto), who introduced me to environmental history, to ProfessorJames Bater (University of Waterloo), who helped me see history through a geographer’s eyes, and to Professor Julian Dent (University of Toronto), for conversations that spanned centuries and disciplines, but never failed to enlighten.
To Ingrid I. Epp I offer a special thanks for helping me to decipher the mysteries of gothic German script, for sharing her unparalleled knowledge of the Braun Archive, and for coundess insights into our mutual acquaintance Johann Cornies.
Other friends, too, have provided intellectual stimulation, and more importantly, moral support, for which I am deeply grateful. I particularly thank Robert Austin, Harold Otto, Alexander Prusin, and Randal Smathers.Alexander and Elena Prusin took on the tedious job of correcting my woeful Russian in footnotes and elsewhere. Kate Baltais and Harold Otto, copy-editors extraordinaire, went well beyond their mandate to correct my almost-random German spelling and grammar. Dr Ann K Deakin of SUNY Fredonia’s Department of Geosciences created the wonderful maps. The help and friendship of all of them is deeply appreciated.
xii Acknowledgments
From among countless archivists and librarians in Russia, Ukraine, and Canada who helped me along the way I must single out Aleksandr S. Tedeev, Director of the State Archive of the Zaporizhzhe Region, Ukraine. His professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm are unparalleled.
To Mom and Dad, Chuck, Michelle, Simon, Johnroy, Chucky, Anne, Steven, Richard, Christopher, Norah, Danielle, and Ashleen, I offer my undying gratitude for the sanctuary and distraction they provided during the years of hard work.
Finally, and most importantly, I thank Barbara, Duncan, and Emma. Without their love and support, it would not be worth the doing.