Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-02-18
Continued from first page.

OF stations for 1888, and the report
given above was for subsequent year.
From the above table it will be seen
that the Snake River valley is second
to no place in the list, nor is this
matter of slight Importance. It is no
doubt, owing to the excessive atmos-
pheric humidity and its neutralizing
effects on the sunshine, together with
the lack of sunshine that has resulted
in the failure Of the foreign varieties of
grapes in the Atlantic States.
The thought may occur to some upon
examination of the foregoing table,
that the humidity of Los Angeles and
San Diego is greater than at Cincin-
natl. Then why should grapes prove
a success in the former places and a
failure in the latter. While it is true
that the humidity is shown to be
greater at those two points in Califor-
MIA than in Cincinnati, likewise the
previous tables show a less degree of
cloudiness and more sunshine than in
Cincinnati. Not only this, but there
would be more equable temperature
at Los Angeles and San Diego, during
July, August and September. At Los
Angeles, for 1889, there was not any
rainfall; at San Diego only "a. ofan
inch, while at the same time at Gin
cinnati there was 9.12 inches. No
doubt there would be many days dur
ing this rainfall when the atmospheric
humidity would amount almost to sat-
uration. Those who care to investigate
this question at length will find inter-
esting articles on the subject by James
s. Lippincott, of New Jersey, in the
reports of the Department of Agricul-
ture for 1862 and 1868.
The following from the pen of Mr..
Lippincott illustrates very forcibly the
atmospheric conditions that often pre-
vail In the Atlantic States, and which
render even the native grapes fire.
quent failure: The first half of Sep.
TENDER, 1865, appeared to be very un.
propitious for the grape, mildew and
rot having done their worst with the
native vines, and the foreign under
glass alone remained, on which theil
destructive agency could work. From
the first to the fifteenth the absolute
and relative humidity were excessive
and the fourteenth was among the
most oppressive ever remembered and
recorded by the writer, frequently arts
ing to saturation. Though the heat
was not in excess, the abundant
moisture rendered some of the days
painful to endure, the feeling being
at times, that of immersion in steam
bath. Our black Hamburg Grapes
which had not already ripened under
glass, were dissolved in a mass of rot
tenness in consequence of suffocation
in this vapor-laden atmosphere"
An examination of the foregoing ia
bles demonstrates the fact that We
have here in North Idaho and Wash
ington valley comparing in climate
with the interior valleys of California
and capable of producing all the finer
varieties of grapes there grown.
The question may be asked, "How
successfully have your vineyards been;
Flo" while your climate may figure Out
all satisfactorily in theory, yet practical
success Is that which counts" In re
ply it may be stated that grape culture
as commercial enterprise is yet in it.
infancy, but SO far as tested in small
paintings for many years has proven
highly successful both in quantity and
quality of produce.
Even In southern grape growing
regions much of the success of the vine
yard depends upon the choice of
suitable location and as the northern
limits of successful grape culture ar,
approached the question of location
becomes one of still greater importance
As might well be supposed, our sunny
dry atmosphere has given us immunity
from mildew and other fungus diseases
that have been SO destructive to tn,
grape interest in other sections. In 9,
far the grape has flourished without
an enemy, and if planters use du,
caution to not introduce phyloxer.
and other obnoxious pests. there is n,
reason why the present happy state o
affairs should not continue.
The only obstacle whatever seems t.
be In the possibility of the vines beins
injured by the cold every fifth or sixth
winter. To Obviate this difficulty some
growers resort to laying the vines down
and giving them slight covering O.
earth; others take the chances of the
winter. Even in the middle crane
growing regions Of France the vines are
subject to occasional freezing, and in
the Atlantic States 1t is necessary to
give protection to many of the native
varieties, and when the planting and
pruning has been done in reference to
this nurnOso tho cost Of v,rD%oots<,. ::