212 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



Lake Champlain, the shores of the Great Lakes as far 

 west as Superior, Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna, 

 and, passing south, through the mountain district of Vir- 

 ginia, the average fall of rain during the summer is about 

 ten inches. The lower region of the Hudson has about 

 eleven inches, while Southern New Jersey and Eastern 

 Pennsylvania average about twelve inches. 



In comparing these statistics of Blodget, as applied to 

 the last district, Mr. Lippincott remarks, "This is not 

 generally a favored region for the vine, having an average 

 fall of two inches more than the district of less rains, 

 though more promising than where fourteen inches pre- 

 vail. . . . And such must ever be the experience of 

 those who in this district continue to cultivate the 

 Catawba and Isabella, and other varieties subject to in- 

 jury from excess of moisture. It is only in the region of 

 lesser rain-falls, and within the zones adapted to their 

 needs as respects summer heat, and 'length of season, that 

 we can reasonably hope to find a greater or general ex- 

 emption from influences so unfavorable." 



These views are so conflicting, that the expression 

 by an eminent pomologist in regard to grape culture, 

 " We are at sea without a rudder," sometimes seems to 

 be true. In this case, I apprehend we can reconcile the 



