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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