American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-01-07
From tie National .Egis.
THE PRESERVATION OF ICE

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and trouble, is now approaching. 1t has seemed
good therefore to collect the observations scattered
through different works on the subject, that the
memories of those already made sklul by expert
ence may be ieifeshed and those who may be dis
posed 10 make experiments for the first time, may
avail themselves of the information possessed by
others. he correctness of the remark that Ice is
not merely luxurious superfluity, will DC acknow.
lodged by all who prefer pure and refreshing bev.
erase in the days Of summer, to draught OF warm
and half boiling water from the spring heated by
the burning sun; or who choose wholesome and
healthy food, to that, changed and tainted by the
sury atmosphere. The Ice house, furnishes the
means Of preparing cool and nvigoratlng liquors
it may he made place OF deposit Tor fresh meats,
where they will be preserved from the attacks Of
insects and The injuries OF heat: it will keep those
articles liable melt and to spoil in their first per
fiction, for days and even weeks: and It's contents
will supply the materials for numerous economical
uses.
In order to preserve Ice, it is necessary that il
should be kept dry, and much as possible Sc
cured from the ,cGrmM OF the earth and OF the ar
Various plans for the construction OF Ice Houses
have been proposed, more less expensive in their
execution, tu, all referring to these principles.
The following description Of the cheapest and most
simple will be found most generally useful.
On the Northern decliyry OF hill where the
SIZE is to be excavated. To prevent the earth from
falling back upon the cellar thus opened, we'll as
better the Ice which is to be stored away,
from The heat, wall is to be raised Of logs, plank
brick stone, al the distance Of about foot from
the surrounding earth. This space is to be filled
with straw, leaves or tan. floor is then laid over
the bottom, roof placed above, aud the whole is
completed. This is the outline Of the work :
it may be convenient to explain its pats more in
detail, commencing at the foundation.
That the Ice may be dry, and that the water
produced by lis melting may be carried Of, It is
proper that the house should be furnished with a
drain. This may be conveniently made where the
deelisiy is considerable. Its mouth should be mar
row and small, and 1t has been recommended that a
spout be inserted, descending to the extremity,
where II should be somewha. curved upwards. The
depressed part being filled with water, all communi
Cation with the external air will be cut off, while
The escape of The tluid will be but slightly obstruct
cd. Where the excavation is in an open and por
GUS soil, the labor of digging passage may be
aso'ded, by sinking one or more little wells, through
which the water will go down, and disappear.
The floor should be raised on sleepers above the
ground. II is usual to make the covering oil Joint
ed plank tight except at the edges. A cheap sub
stne may be found in round poles or split sticks
OF sufficient strength to support the weight Of The
mass TO rest upon them. The moisture will flow
pass off through the drain
The walls should stand within the square, sepa
rated from the bank on the interior and from the
Ice within. partition may be made OF coarse
boards, on the interior, and the space around the
Walls lined with some substance having the power
Of repelling heat. Charcoal possesses this non
conducting property in high degree few
bushels will be sufficient to fill up the interval with
out and within, and will essent lily aid to prevent
the dissolution Of the Ice when packed.
Having constructed the body of the House, the
root isto be added, 1t may h composed of any
materials having proper slope to turn away the
rain. The internal heat of the earth is always
greater than the freezing point. Communicating
with the air, surrounding the Ice, it imparts its
warmth to the lower stratum this rises to the top,
and 1t there be no aperture for escape, falls back
and haseus on the dissolving Of the Ice. To avoid
this evil. the building should be so conriyed as 10
permit ventilation The opposite sides may be CON
necled by floor of boards and the .gurret formed
ny The slope OF the roof may be filled with clean
aud dry straw, or other conducting substances
a door Tor entrance should be opened on the
North.
closet may be connected with the larger struc-
tnre, 10 which to place such articles as 1t is desira
Bile TO keep In cool situation.
The House being provided it is next to be filled.
The Ice should be taken a severely cold day. and
exposed in the open air during the following night
that us temperature may be reduced as much as
possible. The heat retained, even by so cold sub
stance, although always less than $50 is guam
thy not TO be neglected. by those who would enoy
the uxuries Ice affords in the midst OF summer ii
one mass when deposited is at 10 and another al 3oo
when the air shall have received additional degree
OF warmth, the former will begin 10 dissolve, while
the latter will remain unchanged. The atmosphere
must have communicated SIC of heat to the last
mass before it will waste.
y blocks are sawed or cut square, they may be
more conveniently packed than in any other shape
ne larger they may be, the better they will be
preserved. When a stratum OF large pieces has
been placed upon The floor, the crevces should be