244 THE ATMOSPHERE, AND 



ness ; — by taking frequent exercise in the open air, when 

 our habits are studious or sedentary ; — by sleeping in 

 rooms without fires, with open partition doors, that fresh 

 air may at all times have free access, and by avoiding 

 lodging too many persons in the same room ; — and by 

 inducing our females to go warmly and tidily clad, as well 

 to church as to parties of pleasure. How many human 

 constitutions are ruined, in our cities and villages, by 

 indulging in habits which philosophy and reason teach us 

 to avoid. 



4. In multiplying ornamental trees and shrubs about 

 our dwellings^ which serve to purify the air, abate the 

 fervor of summer heats, by carrying off a portion of the 

 caloric with the moisture they exhale, and which are 

 withal an embellishment and an evidence of good taste. 



5. In the construction of our stables and cattle-sheds. 

 Farm-stock are as much benefited by cleanliness and good 

 air as man ; and the same precautions which go to se- 

 cure the health of the latter are essentially requisite to 

 promote the thrift and well-being of the former. Hence 

 the importance of having clean and well-ventilated stables 

 and sheds, of removing the dung so that it does not under- 

 go fermentation in the stalls, and of giving cattle whole- 

 some exercise. 



6. In the planting of our seeds. The atmosphere be- 

 ing essential to germination, both on account of the oxy- 

 gen and heat which it contains, all seeds should be deposit- 

 ed in the soil within its reach ; they should be put just so 

 low as will barely secure about them moisture enough to 

 insure their germination. We have reason to think, thai 

 small seeds often fail to grow from being buried too deep 

 in the soil, and that, even if they germinate, the food which 

 the cotyledons afford, and which is their only support till 

 the seminal leaves are developed, is not sufficient to carry 

 the plumula, or upright shoot, to the earth's surface, where 

 alone the leaves can exercise their office of elaborating 

 or preparing the food. 



7. In the management of our field and garden crops. 

 The soil has a strong affinity for water, and the atmo- 

 sphere penetrates it freely, when pulverulent and loose; but 



