II 



CLIMATE IN AMERICA 



Few subjects are more bewildering than that of climate 

 in the United States, and its effect on gardens in different 

 sections is an ever interesting study. Replying to the 

 question as to which locality in the East might be said 

 to have the longest continued flowering period, an expert 

 in the Agricultural Department writes: "The question of 

 plant life in relation to climate is a very large one and one 

 about which it is hard to generalize without close study in 

 the various parts of the country. Some little work along 

 these lines is being attempted, but as yet we have been 

 unable to make any report upon it." 



Correspondence with gardeners in the various States 

 has furnished the brief data given in connection with the 

 following chapters, showing that the local conditions as 

 affecting garden culture are much more encouraging in 

 some places than in others. 



Not only are there the matters of latitude and altitude 

 to be considered, but often quite as important is the influ- 

 ence of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic or of the Japan 

 Current in the Pacific Ocean. Again, there is the moist 

 climate by the sea, or the quality of soil, the periodic tor- 



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