Have you ever had a hankering to learn about the Codling Moth? The Cankerworm? The Hessian Fly?

Of course not. They are not only deadly to crops, they are deadly boring.

In other words, perfect subjects for Textbook Sleep, the podcast that reads aloud boring public domain textbooks to help you fall asleep.

It has come to my attention that some listeners play Textbook Sleep while doing chores, as something to relax to. We counsel against this, as you may find yourself waking up on the floor next to the washing machine or on top of the vacuum cleaner. We are, after all, a Maximum-Strength Sleep Aid—nonprescription but habit-forming.

Thus we continue tonight with Agriculture for Beginners by Burkett, Stevens, and Hill, first published in 1903.

You will likely be asleep before we get to “the troublesome Chinch Bug.” Few will make it to the Twig Girdler. Let us begin.

This recording will end quietly.

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