Plant Industries and Climatic Plant Formations 351 



Fig. 



U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



218. Map showing the acreage of sugar crops in the United States. 



Agriculturally, the deciduous forest region is best suited for 

 the production of winter wheat and corn ; but due to the fact 

 that the soils are far better in the prairies, the center of corn pro- 

 duction lies in Illinois and Iowa. 



Because of the numerous cities and industrial towns scattered 

 from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River, market gardening 

 and the production of cut flowers, ornamental plants, and nur- 

 sery stock have been highly developed in this region. 



The lands along the eastern and southern shores of Lakes 

 Michigan and Erie are favorable localities for the growth of 

 grapes, because killing frosts in the autumn are delayed by the 

 warming effects of the lake. These areas are also favorable for 

 the growth of peaches, because the lakes warm up more slowly 

 than the land in the spring of the year ; this retards the opening 

 of the buds until danger of late spring frosts is past. 



Apple, pear, peach, and cherry orchards are scattered over this 

 region. These orchards produce a large part of the fruits of 

 this t3rpe that are marketed in the eastern United States. 



