5^ HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



ture changes from an almost unendurable heat during the' 

 day — 100° or over in the shade — to no less than 32°, the 

 freezing point, at night. 



In Upper Egypt the range is 40°, and out on our own 

 western prairies there is not infrequently a difference of 

 60°, so that one is scorched by day and frozen at night. 



Let us be thankful then that Florida has just enough 

 moisture to temper the heat during the day by condensa- 

 tion, and during the night by retarding radiation suffi- 

 ciently to keep the cold in check. Her climate is just as 

 it ought to be to secure health and warmth. 



A few practical, every-day illustrations of the proof of 

 our statements, and we close our study of Florida's climate 

 so far as humidity goes. 



One of the scientific tests of a "moderately dry" cli- 

 mate is the dessication of meats and their slow decomposi- 

 tion. Now, it is a fact that causes much surprise to new- 

 comers, that beef when hung up in a current of air will 

 keep fresh much longer than in the same or even lower 

 temperature in the more northern States ; and venison, 

 which has naturally less moisture than beef, wall harden 

 and dry on the surface and continue good much longer 

 than beef. 



Another test is, *' matches will take fire with certainty, 

 even in unheated rooms." Here, also, the writer has noted 

 a marked difference between, for instance, Maryland, New^ 

 Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania, and Florida, and de- 

 cidedly in favor of the latter. It is very seldom indeed 

 that a match is found to have absorbed enough moisture 

 to crumble or miss fire. 



Unless during the prevalence of several days' rain (an 

 infrequent occurrence) ladies find that their hair will re- 

 main in crimps or curls for days together ; this, as is well 

 known, is an unfailing proof of dry air. 



