The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-03-02
Liant and Air for Stock.
BY ALEXANDER HYDE.

IL is one of the kind provisions of the Great Provi-
der that those things which are most essential to
the animal economy are abundant and cheap.
Among the most essential though not generally
sufficiently valued, we class light and air, and these
we have without price and without stint. The
sum- the great fountain of light, comes every day
pouring his benign rays upon our earth, and cloth
ing it with life and beauty. Giying does not inn
poyerish the resources Of this mighty agent. For
thousands and myriads of years, light has been
constantly radiatmg from the sun through infinite
space, our planet catching only IN ninitesnal
fraction of the vast amount which the glorious orl,
is constantly dispensing.
Air reXstS in the same profIsion. The column OF
air extends into space some forty live fifty miles
rising above the level of the eight or nine times
rs high as our highest mountains. From this Air
the vegetable kingdom derives most its nourisll-
ment, and ON 1t the animal world relies for the con
Stant yitallzati0n of blood. We can live without
food more days than we can minutes without air.
SIN this blessing comes without effort on our part,
and prouscy that we seldom think of its value
either for ourselves or the inferior animals.
As this is the season of the year when we house
our domestic animals, we desire to call attention to
the Importance of furnishing them with sunshine
aud pure air. In the summer they roam abroad
and enjoy their priceless blessing but in the winter
they are too often shut up where the blackncss of
darkness rcignS by day as well Us by night, and
Where the air becomes so contaminated as to be nc
longer fit for respiration. Disease cnsues as conSe
laenee of the loss of these cheap but indispensable
gus OF a kind Providence, and if the dumb beast.
do NOV o'e they drag out their existence in untold
misery.
The nature and effect of light are receiving in
creased al''htlon from scientific men, and farmer,
will do wen to give heed to .hc investigations q
Bunsen, klrchholl and Miller if thcv wish to Eec,
up with the Times, and be protcd by the rescorchr
Of science. Observing men have long known that
slnlight eXertS a most beneficial Influence an nh
mai and vegetable life. The plant That crews i
the shade is always pale and wacry The sum,
side of the apple is the most highly colorcd th,
best favored. and most nutritious. Animals low
l.nel- in fap On
its heat but its life giving influences. IIumant
feels depression in dark, cloudy day, and cor
responding exharaton in the bright sunshine
Dark and gloomy. light and cheerful have Ion
been associated. Modern observation has taugl
US that the sunny side of the house is the mo'
healthy, and that patients on the sunny side of til
hospital are most likely to recover.
We do not propose to discuss the nature of ligh
Newton's theory that light consisted of nfnes
nal Particles Of matter, afterwards gave place t
the theory that light is propagated like sound by il
fnitesimal waves. The spectroscope upsets IL
these specuations. and throws new light so t
speak on sunshine. We are not quite ready {
agree with Stcnmeiz that 'ght is metallic, tha
sunshine consists of a metallic shower and batbc