98 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



these varieties prosper as well as when grown under glass. We 

 have, however, some compensating advantages for this loss of 

 forest protection in the ameliorating influences of climate ex- 

 erted by the ocean or large bodies of water, like those of our 

 Western lakes and rivers, which soften the temperature ; and 

 to this, in a great measure, perhaps, may be attributed the 

 great success of grape culture in the West. 



The non-adaptation of varieties and their deterioration are 

 among the difficulties which we have to contend with. We 

 should therefore resort to the production of new native sorts, 

 upon which we may rely with more confidence ; for, as a gen- 

 eral law, it may be assumed that where nature has planted any 

 of our wild species, whether fruit, forest-tree or vine, other and 

 improved sorts may be raised by hybridization, either natural 

 or artificial, which will be equally as well adapted to that terri- 

 tory. The grape, for instance, grows spontaneously throughout 

 our territory, extending over twenty-five degrees of latitude, 

 and in longitude from ocean to ocean ; and from the process of 

 cross-fertilization we are adding every year new and valuable 

 sorts, either adapted to particular locations or to general culti- 

 vation. 



There are, however, disappointments and vicissitudes. There 

 are, indeed, mysteries which we do not at present understand, 

 yet, far from abating, they should actually increase our ardor in 

 the pursuit of knowledge, nor should we be blinded by the 

 dreamy speculations and doubtful theories of those who always 

 see a lion in the way. We are too often discouraged by the in- 

 constancy of the seasons, but these are incident to all of our 

 crops, and they will probably continue to exist. Cycles of 

 favorable and unfavorable years have always existed both in 

 this and other lands. While one section or country suffers with 

 drought, another is almost submerged in water. Such was the 

 case in 1867 and 1868, between the West and East, — the former 

 parched with drought, the latter drenched with rain, thirteen 

 and a half inches having fallen in September of the last year, 

 against three and a half inches, the average amount per month 

 for fifteen years ; and this year the West is suffering with too 

 much moisture, while New England has been blessed with a 

 most propitious season, until the late terrific hurricane which 

 swept the fruit from the trees on its eastern borders. Great 



