486 



AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



On comparing the above table witli that of the means for several places in 

 the Mississippi valley, on page 485, it will be observed that the temperatures 

 for March are much higher than those observed in Illinois and Missouri; 

 those for April and May, at Bordeaux, Marseilles, and Naples, more clearly 

 accord with those of our western Avine region. June, July, and August, in the 

 Mississippi valley, are much hotter than the hottest wine districts of Europe in 

 nearly the same latitude ; and September exhibits a parallel nearly approach- 

 ing tlie European means, while October in the west has fallen sadly aAvay from 

 the high measures known throughout the wine region bordering the Mediter- 

 ranean, reducing the autumn mean and shortening the season of maturation. 

 The latter mean does not appear to be higher than that of Bordeaux, and much 

 lower than in the more favored localities where the strongest wines are pro- 

 duced ; but as September is still very warm and adequate to the ripening of 

 many tender varieties of grapes requiring a long season, the wine regions of 

 Illinois and Missouri may be esteemed comparatively well adapted to the pro- 

 duction, in favorable situations, of wines of very good quality. 



REASONS WHY THE EUROPEAN WINE GRAPE CANNOT SUCCEED IN THE EASTERN 



UNITED STATES. 



De Candolle, assuming that the vegetation of the vine commences at 10° 

 centigrade or 50° Fahrenheit, and employing this minimum as the limit to vege- 

 tation both in spring and autumn, finds, by comparing the aggregate temperatures 

 enjoyed at several places during the existence of this tenn and upwards, both 

 within and without the region of successful vine culture, that it may be con- 

 ducted Avith good i)romise of remuneration in Europe on slopes well exposed, 

 and at those localities which exhibit the sum of 2900° centigrade, from the 

 day Avhen groAvth commences with the mean of 10° centigrade in the shade to 

 that on which this mean ceases, provided the number of days of rain does not 

 exceed twelve days per month. An advantage is found to arise in taking ac- 

 count of the number of days of rain rather than of the quantity, for Ave include 

 in this manner a A'ory important circumstance, the mean condition of the sky as 

 more or less cloudy. As the number of rainy days increases, the heat received 

 by the vine Avill be diminished, and the chemical influence of the direct 

 rays of the sun be much impau-ed.' Thus this A'arying element, Avhich is 

 neglected in making up the sums of temperature in the shade, and Avhich 

 It is im])0ssible to estimate at many localities, is recognized in another and 

 definite form by stating the number of days of rain. Unfortunately our 

 meteorological records do not furnish us Avith these desirable facts. 



The reasoning Avhich appears satisfactory as regards the influence of heat 

 and number of i-ainy days in the European wine districts doee not as fully apply 



