Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-04-23
shnds Trees Around Dwellings.

The progress made within the past ten
or fifteen years In the construction Of
dwelling. g.houses--especially In the matter
of air and ventilation--is q striking illus.
tration of the advance of intelligence In
regard to the laws of human life and
health. Now that the fashion Is estab-
lished for building houses with large
rooms and high ceilings, we find even the
cheap class Of laborers' cottages assum-
ing much more of lofty and healthful
air than formerly; and some Of the best
old-fashioned houses arc being modernized
by having the roof and chamber-c ceilings
elevated, or by lifting the entire frame, and
then lowering the main floors.
Akin TO this, and based on the same
laws, is the rule which forbids the plant
ing of shade trees or tall shrubs so near
TO a dwelling as TO considerably shade the
contiguous ground or the building. The
reasons for this, however, are not general
ly understood, and the influence of fash
ion does not as yet sufficiently aid this
reform, though II is doing so to some ex-
tent.
Sunlight and air ar~Gods great agen-
cies of life and health; and sensible peo-
pie are beginning to learn that these agen-
cies should have freer scope within and
around our dwellings,. Every farmers
wife knows that sunshine is the best
sweetener of milk-pans and OF feather
beds and wooden garments; and every ex-
perienced physician has noticed that fam
lilies living in houses closely surrounded
with trees and shrubbery, are more liable
to disease than those whose habitations
allow the free influence of the breeze and
sunshine. This is especially true in vii
lagos and towns where other buildings,
fences, ETC., obstruct the circulation of
air, and where there is in all cases more
or less of decomposing matter and often.
sive odors polluting the air, so that its free
motion is essential to its publication and
healthfulness.
Prof. Youmans, in his excellent Hand.
book of Household Science" devOtes a
number of pages to this important sub
ject Speaking Of the effects of exposure,
shade, drainage, ETC., he says; 1t is
often surprising what effect small differ
ence in the elevation has upon the health
fulness of particular spot. A rise of
sixteen feet within 300 yards has been
known to produce an entire change from
relaxing to bracing air. The lower
place was completely enveloped in foliage
and without drainage, while the higher
was comparatively free from trees, and
had good fall for surface water and sew.
erage. Where noxious exhala-
tions are set free from any source they are
diffused through the vast volume of the
atmosphere. The law of gaseous diffu-
sion, aided by winds and storms, secures
dispersion and universal admixture.
Oxygen finally takes effect upon these
baneful emanations, destroying and burn
ing them as truly as if they had been con-
sumed in furnace"
The lack of sunlight and ventilation In
a majority of old houses, especially where
surrounded with trees, is manifested in
summer by the appearance of mold on
shoes, gloves, ETC., in the chambers and
closets and even on books In the library,
When such mildew is seen the occupants
may be sure there is poison in the air,
and means should be taken at once to adj
NIT Gods sunshine and wind. Cut away
the old trees of whatever kind that shade
/ the house or grounds Immediately around
and remove old fences or whatever OBJ
structs the breeze; then plow and harrow
the ground and seed it well with grass
where not occupied with walks; only set
! ting here and there a few evergreen or
Towering shrubs or making bed for
| flowers. ..-.
| Shade trees have their proper place and
use at the sides of the lawn or in the rear
of the dwelling, and where they may hide
any unsightly object or form a back
ground to the view of the premises from
the public road.-OhtO Farmer.