THE FARMER AT HOME. 429 



garden lands, and in the use of the subsoil plough, for all kinds of field 

 culture. What would grow in the garden if the soil were loosened 

 only to the depth of three or four inches ! To raise garden vegetables 

 on such a soil, would be deemed absurd ; and the attempt to do 

 it presumption. The principle is the same in field culture. Good 

 tillage is the secret of successful farming. 



TIME FOR SLEEP. Night is evidently the period appropriated 

 by nature for repose, and general experience has proved, that it is the 

 only one during which we can with certainty obtain that sound, 

 sweet, and refreshing slumber, so necessary for the preservation of 

 health. Sleeping during the day is, indeed, on many accounts, a 

 pernicious practice, which should be carefully avoided, excepting 

 under particular circumstances of disease, or when a sufficient amount 

 of repose cannot be obtained at the natural periods. This, however, 

 does not apply to infants. For the first months after birth, a healthy 

 child sleeps full two-thirds of its time. This propensity requires to be 

 indulged by day as well as by night, but, with judicious management, 

 it may be brought, in a short time, to require and enjoy repose during 

 the latter period only. Young children, when fatigued by exercise, 

 will also, in general, be found inclined to sleep during the day ; from 

 indulging them in a short repose, under such circumstances, no bad 

 effects can result, provided their clothing be perfect) y loose, so that 

 every part of their bodies is freed from bands or ligatures. 



The popular maxim, " early to bed and early to rise," is one 

 which should be rigidly observed by every individual. It has been 

 remarked that, in the natural state, the disposition to sleep usually 

 comes on soon after the commencement of darkness ; and, according 

 to the oldest and most accurate observers, three or four hours sleep 

 before midnight is very nearly as refreshing as double that portion in 

 the morning. Persons who spend the day in manual labor, or active 

 exercise in the open air, with great difficulty keep awake for a few 

 hours after the night has closed in ; and this disposition to early sleep 

 is, perhaps, one of the strongest indications of perfect health. It has 

 been very correctly remarked " that the atmosphere of the night is 

 always more vitiated, and consequently less fit for respiration, than 

 that of the day ; and as we respire a greater portion of air while 

 awake than in a sleeping state, it follows that from these, independent 

 of other causes, the system is more liable to injury in the former than 

 in the latter state." 



Early rising is equally important to the health of the system as 

 early rest. On no account should any one permit himself to again 

 slumber, after the moment of his first awaking in the morning, whe- 

 ther this happen at the early dawn, or before the sun has risen ; even 

 though from accident or unavoidable causes he may not have enjoyed 

 his six or eight hours of repose. It is much better to make up the 

 deficiency, if necessary, at some other time, than to attempt taking 



