dornment
of their houses, to costly decorations and expensive furniture, than to
proper ventilation. Farmers, too, are careless in the construction of
their cottages. Their dwellings are often built, for convenience, in too
close proximity to the barn. Because they do not construct a suitable
sewer or drain, the filth and refuse food is thrown out of the back
door, where it accumulates and undergoes putrefaction; the vitiated air
penetrates the interior of the house, and, there being no means of
ventilation, it remains to be breathed by the occupants. The result is,
that for the sake of saving a few dollars, which ought to be expended in
the construction of necessary flues and sewers, the farmer often sees
the child he prizes far more than his broad acres gradually decline, or
suddenly fall a victim to fevers or malignant disease. Parents, make
your homes healthy, let in the pure, fresh air and bright sunlight, so
that your conscience may never upbraid you with being neglectful of the
health and lives of your little ones.

SITE FOR HOMES.

MALARIA. When about to construct our residences, besides securing proper
ventilation and adequate drainage, we ought to select the location for a
home on dry soil. Low levels, damp surroundings, and marshy localities
not only breed malaria and fevers, but are a prolific cause of colds,
coughs, and consumption. Care should be taken not to locate a dwelling
where the natural currents of air, or high winds, will be likely to
bring the poison of decayed vegetable matter from low lands. Certain
brooks, boggy land, ponds, foggy localities, too much shade, all these
are favorable to the development of disease. Then the walls of a
building should be so constructed as to admit air between the exterior
and interior surfaces, otherwise the interior of the house will be damp
and unwholesome. In the dead of winter in northern latitudes the house
ought to be kept slightly tempered with warmth, both night and day, a
condition very favorable to the introduction and change of atmospheric
currents. The invigorating tendencies of a dry, pure atmosphere are
remarkably beneficial, while air charged with moisture and decay is
exceedingly baneful, introducing diseases under various forms.

Neither should the dwelling be shaded by dense foliage. The dampness of
the leaves tends to attract malaria. Trees growing a little distance
from the house, however, obstruct the transmission of unhealthy vapors
ar