ively cold, while in
those portions of the country where the temperatures in winter go very
low, the stove is generally employed. Of the two methods, the former is
much the more hygienic where it can be used successfully, but over a
greater portion of the United States this cannot be done owing to the
cold winter climate.

The principal objection to the stove lies in the fact that the heat that
comes from it is very dry, and that where its walls have to be heated
excessively, unpleasant odors are apt to be generated; the former is
usually and ought always to be obviated by keeping upon the stove a
vessel of water, the vapors from which moisten the atmosphere, and the
latter by having the stove of such size that it will not require
excessive heating in order to warm the room in which it is placed.
Wherever possible the open fireplace is to be preferred to the stove for
the reason that it very thoroughly ventilates the room.

_Ventilation._--In order that the health of the inmates may be conserved
proper ventilation of all habitations is essential. However cold the
weather may be, an abundance of fresh air should be allowed to enter all
parts of the house. In the average wooden dwelling there are so many
cracks that good ventilation is generally secured without opening doors
or windows, but where the construction does not permit this, openings for
the entrance of air should be left in the most convenient and suitable
places. Windows may be slightly raised and draughts prevented by proper
screening, or what is even better, rooms should be so constructed that
they have openings at the top and at the bottom to allow free
ventilation. Openings towards the upper portion of rooms are especially
important in hot weather, as the warm air rises to the ceiling and
escapes only very slowly where such exits do not exist. Lowering windows
from the top aids materially in allowing the hot air to escape, but this
is not altogether so satisfactory as having openings higher up on the
walls, or in the ceiling.

_Disposal of Sewage._--No problem that confronts the dweller in the rural
district is of greater importance than the proper disposal of sewage. It
is unfortunately impossible in most instances for the farmer to have in
his house a system of water-works, and, therefore, all dish-waters and
slops are thrown into the yard, and a privy is used instead of a modern
water-closet. Where the lay of the land is such that water readily runs