80 STORMS. 



and in the climate east and west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains is very marked. The prevailing winds of our 

 continent are western. Although the eastern dis- 

 trict comprises a most extensive area in several 

 latitudes, yet its general features are similar. It 

 is subject to great extremes, — a cold winter, and a 

 semi-tropical summer. The variety of its indigenous 

 plants is very great. The vapor arising from the 

 Gulf of Mexico is condensed as it passes over the 

 land, and, falling until it is taken by this western 

 current, it is spread over the whole eastern portion 

 of the continent. When these winds are most 

 severe, as in the autumn, when the trees are laden 

 with fruit, as well as in early spring, the importance 

 of shelter in exposed positions will readily occur to 

 every practical cultivator. But this will be consid- 

 ered hereafter. 



While there are some benefits resulting from the 

 variableness of temperature in the Eastern States, 

 there are also serious disadvantages, — such as the 

 destruction of the fruit-buds of the most tender 

 species and varieties in the more northern States, 

 and the encouragement of the fungi, as well as of 

 other diseases incident to a sudden check or accel- 

 eration of the sap-flow. 



On the contrary, the climate of the Pacific coast 

 is characterized by great equanimity. If the dis- 

 eases resulting from sudden changes and extremes 

 of temperature exist at all, it is in their most ameli- 



