CLIMATE OF SITKA. 43 



once more their capital. It were, however, a 

 pity this plan should be adopted, as it would 

 afford facilities to other nations, by settling in 

 these regions, to disturb the trade of the Com- 

 pany. But the Company may possibly be com- 

 pelled to give up New Archangel, by their 

 resources not permitting them to retain it, 

 unless they should receive some assistance from 

 Government. 



The climate of Sitka is not so severe as might 

 have been expected from its latitude. In the 

 middle of winter the cold is not excessive, and 

 never lasts long. Agriculture notwithstanding 

 does not appear to be successful here. There 

 is not perhaps a spot in the world where so 

 much rain falls ; a dry day is a perfect rarity, 

 and this would itself account for the failure 

 of corn ; the nature of the ground is however 

 equally inimical to it. 



There are no plains of any extent ; the small 

 valleys being every where surrounded by high 

 steep rocks of granite, and consequently over- 

 shadowed the greater part of the day. Some 

 vegetables, such as cabbages, turnips, and 

 potatoes, prosper very well: the latter are 



