Merchant G. A. Shevelev and Development of Private Farming in Western Transbaikalia in First Half of 19th Century

Abstract

The agricultural activities of provincial merchants in adverse climatic conditions of Western Transbaikalia are considered. The author dwells on the concrete example of the agricultural activities of Verkhneudinsk merchant of the first guild Grigoriy Shevelev. It is shown that Transbaikal merchants were in the larger mass highly educated representatives of their class, communicated with the Decembrists, were a source of formation of local intellectuals, engaged in research in various fields of knowledge, sponsored many scientific expeditions of the region and was involved in them. Particular attention is paid to the fact that the development of agriculture and improvement of technical devices by merchants was carried out in addition to the main business activities and were often entertaining and experimental, because did not make a profit. On the basis of the biographical method involving documents of the State archive of the Republic of Buryatia and the material extracted from the Agricultural journal of 1830-ies, the professional activity of merchant G. Shevelev is shown, who was known for his contacts with the Imperial Moscow Society of Agriculture (IMSA). On the recommendation of A. N. Muravyov for the first time in Eastern Siberia merchant founded an experimental farm for agriculture under Verkhneudinsk, for which he was awarded of the gold medal of IMSA.