New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-11
Ehe Env.ren. g New orIean..
NUMBER TIFTY-FouR.

1
New Orleans being under the thirtieth degree Of
northern latitude, we should have as tropical a
climate as that of Morocco which lies in precisely
the same degree, Still, there is no comparison to
be established between the climatic conditions Of
these respective localities; nay, we in Louisiana
very often do not experience the mild influences
Of the southern parts Of France--of Marseilles,
for instance, situated under the forty-hrd degree
of northern latitude, where the olive vine and silk
worm culture are fully nourishing. This difference
in the climatic effects arises from the confguration
Of the country If the Allegheny mountains, in lieu
Of running from north to south, were forming
barrier chain from east to west, the level coun
Try to the south Of this mountain wall or chain
would be sheltered or guaranteed against the sud
den and often very severe blasts of the northern
winds. This want of an Alpine defense against
the infuenee.of hyperborean climate, causes the
great variation in the temperature throughout the
Southern States, butmore particularly in Louisiana
and the city Of New Orleans, which more than any
other locality appears subject to these sudden al
terations in the atmospheric temperature 1t is
upon this account, although many tropical plants
have been introduced into our envrons, such as
bananas, pine apples, etc, that these fruits in
some years will attain to maturity, when especially
frosts or sudden alterations in the temperature,
put stop TO their development.
The mulberry tree-a very tender plants one
| Of the earliest sproutng or Towering plants, and
seems perfectly to agree with our climate still
| al the essays made for the purpose Of rearing
i silk'worms have turned out unsuccessful some
people telling US that the heavy squalls in June
aud July, with thunder and lightning, kill the
eocoons when in the season of spinning the silk
whilst others suppose the great fogs from the lakes
and swamps to be the main cause Of non-success in
inns line Thatthe vast area of inundated lands, par
eoulafly N the spring season of the year, in the
lower delta Of the Mississippi, is contributing, by
w moisture and chilly fogs in the atmosphere, to
Z great ammunition Of that steady climatic warmth
i which we would otherwise enioy. i 81 easv con.
e oepnoh Ams obstacle will however, in process
Of time by the draining and cultivation Of Tho lo,
/ lands, be more and more removed. 90 tbere %,
! be nc doubt that, in some respects wa NAV rAI,
upon beneficial improvement Of our climatic ~
mospheric condition. Still We viii uevar ~ IL
tirely exempt from the rapid falls and rises IN ba
, thermometer, because no possible means win 10
found to replace that Alpine barrier Of which wa
have spoken and which is the main cause Tar tbo
mild and steady, atmosphere in such countries as
Italy, the south Of France, Spain and the coast Of
Africa, Morocco, under the protection of the
| geographical mountain chain Of the Atlas
Under these circumstances, it is no wonder that
so many unsuccessful attempts should have beer
made to acciimate in Louisiana a variety ofexoti,
fruit trees and other vegetable productions. W,
are aware that perseveriug essays have beer
made to cultivate the vine upon lands that wer,
considered analogous to those in Europe, suitabl,
to this culture, more particularly on the othel
side Of Lake Pontohartrain, and that after somt
years Of doubtful progress, these enterprises hat
finally to be given up on account Of total failure
Now, as said before, there may be coming great
| change Of gradual improvement in the atmos
phere, which will in later times, render our coun-
Try apt for some new branches Of culture. whilst
ior the present we must content ourselves with
me most usual and generally known products OF
y our climate And in this respect it is to be re-
:, ssst'ed that there should not have appeared
: ameng Us some publication, some standard work.
with respect to all the various ATTEMPTS made IN
our Southern attitudes 20 produce foreign yege.
s table productions for such work would have
been not only very instructive but also very pro.
titable to new uadertakers of agricultural enter.
f, prises. We have known at one time some yery
expensive experiments made upon the best lands 81
the Red River district with the choicest fruit trees