The Saids of Peshin and others formerly conducted a more or less profitable traffic in slaves in Western Afghanistan, some four or five hundred being sold annually in Kandahar. A few of these unfortunates were purchased in Seistan, but most of them were kidnapped from elsewhere. Slavery in Afghanistan, however, was abolished by Abdur Rahman in 1895, the Russian and Indian Governments mutually co-operating in its prevention. Very few slaves were Persian born, the several regions of Afghanistan supplying their own superfluous human beings. Hazara furnished a large quota, frequently in lieu of arrears of revenue or when there was difficulty in realising Government assignments against the different villages. The value of slaves fluctuated according to the price of food; during seasons of abundance high prices were obtained, but in any period of scarcity slaves were a drug in the market.

The climate of Kandahar is charming in the winter, but the spring is considered the most pleasant time. Barren parched hills lie close to the city on the north and west; the heat radiating from them is such that the winds are hot and parching. The temperature of the thermometer varies greatly between morning and the middle of the day—sometimes as much as 40 or 50 degrees.

In winter, composed of the months of December, January and February, the weather is cloudy, with storms, snow, sleet and rain. The wind varies between all the points of the compass, seldom for long blowing from one direction. Frosts are severe.

WINTER TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR.
Maximum.
6 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 52 Sun 115, shade 59 Open air 61.30
Medium.
6 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 36.8 Sun 78.45, shade 49.15 Open air 44.44
Minimum.
6 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 15 Sun 36.30, shade 42 Open air 31.00

In spring, made up of the months of March, April and May, the weather is fair but cloudy. Occasional rain falls; and there are thunder-storms during the first half of the season, in which also the nights are cold and very frosty. In the latter half of this quarter the weather becomes warmer, dews fall at night and dust-storms occur infrequently. The wind is westerly and south-westerly, but high easterly winds prevail in March.

SPRING TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR.
Maximum.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 78 Sun 139, shade 85 Open air 85
Medium.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 56.23 Sun 114.50, shade 70.8 Open air 69.35
Minimum.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 31 Sun 78, shade 53 Open air 44.45

During the months of June, July, August and part of September, the hot season obtains, commencing about June 20 and continuing until September 20. It comprises two periods of forty days each, separated by an intervening fortnight of cloudy and cooler weather, during which thunder-storms occur in the mountains, though rain rarely falls on the plain. The most prevalent wind during the summer blows from the west during the day, but during the night and until the sun has been “up” a couple of hours it emanates from the opposite direction. Dust-storms are frequent and severe.

SUMMER TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR.
Maximum.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 86 Sun 150, shade 96 Open air 94
Medium.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 74 Sun 136.20, shade 87.10 Open air 86.15
Minimum.
4 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 63 Sun 105, shade 82 Open air 77

The wind, during the autumn in the evening and in the early morning, blows in warm unrefreshing gusts, heated by passing over the many bare rocky ranges which serve simply to reflect the sun. During these months, part of September, October and November, the sun is still powerful. Occasional dust-storms occur, and there is cloudy weather towards the close of the season. The dews are heavy; little rain falls and high north-easterly and north-westerly winds prevail at the close of the season.

AUTUMN TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR.
Maximum.
5 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 65 Sun 148, shade 82 Open air 85
Medium.
5 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 50.57 Sun 123.50, shade 70.44 Open air 69.15
Minimum.
5 A.M. 1 P.M. 8 P.M.
Open air 32 Sun 70, shade 58 Open air 51