The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-03-10
jAarifultural.

mers need an agricultural paper. AL
though the country press generally gives
the cream of the contents Of the agricultu-
raj publications, it does not and cannot
give the lengthy dissertations on stock.
crops. manures, etc-the illustrated arti-
cles on farm buildings and implements,
improved stock and fowls, that all good
papers now give; consequent
ly a man with good farm, from which
he expects to realize living and on which
he hopes to make Improvements, needs a
good agricultural paper. Such an one
we consider the american A .g7cultr1t, pub
lished by Orange Judd, Al Park Row,
New York, at 80 per year.
The following article, though seemingly
late in the season, is yet timely, because
most people have just filled their ice
houses, and any thing on the subject will
be read with interest.
Ice and Ice-HOuses.
Ice is not only a luxury. but has be-
come an article of actual necessity In the
family and dairy of every well-to-do far
mer. | consider we'll stored ice-house,
during the sultry period of dog-days, for
instance, a better investment for the small
sum REQUIRED, than bank stock or Govern
ment bonds, which are considered by mon
led men, | believe, as No. | securities.
A sufficicncy of good ice to use in the
making and using ofthc single article of
butter in farmers family, doubly repays
all necessary expenses the first year.
The building of a passable ice-house does
not require great outlay Of expense :;
not so much as many apprehend. Two
men can construct one in two days at
most, with five dollars worth of material.
and can fill it in less time, unless too
far away from stream or other accom-
modations for procuring ice. Even then
the house may be filled artlticially, that is,
by water from the well, and allowing
pailful after pailful to freeze as applied.
This way is even preferred by many.
There are several ice-houses in this imme-
diate vicinity, all, or mainly all, construct
ed with a moderate outlay Of expense,
and all, think, give good satisfaction.
A few hints in regard to the construction
of an ice-house: select Il clearly location,
and one as little exposed to the sun as
possible-on the northerly side of the
buildings. The house may be built en-
tirely above ground, or it may be made
partly below-a cellar four or six feet
deep, comprising a part of it. and then
double walled with boards or plank. the
walls, say ten or twelve inches apart. and
We'll filled with tan or saw-dust: the lat
ter is preferable The vault should be at
least six feet by eight, or eight feet square
and about the same in height. The saw
dust should completely surround the ice
either within the double walls. or between
the ice and the wall. or both, to prevent
the cold air within from passing out, and
a current of warm air from without to pass
in to supply its place. Drainage and VEN
tilation are important considerations in the
construction of the ice-houSe. An I'M
matched board bottom, resting on small
timbers, with the small cracks between
the boards to allow the escape of water.
and then half foot or more of saw-du>t
will make a good drainage. The house
may be ventilated by means ofsmall cracks
near the top in like manner: this is essen
tial to prevent the saw-dr,st from heating.
which it is liable to do when too closely
confined. The ice should be sawed in
blocks of uniform size, that they may be
closely and readily packed. Cover tn,
ice with a foot or more of saw-duSt, and
as the ice melts away during the summer
season, fill in with the dust, to prevent the
currents of warm air from reaching tn,
ice. 1t is usual to double wall the vault,
as above stated; but | have known ice tc
be kept the year round in single boarded
house. In this case, care should be taker
to keep the ice surrounded on all side,
within, with foot or more of saw-dust,
and we'll pressed in as the ice melts away.
The former is the surer way, however,
and the difference in the cost of construc-
ton is but slight A double roof, which
may be made of boards, makes the house
cooler.
The present winter for the most part,
has been a ready ice-producer: Clear:
blue ice p inches in thickness has been ia.
ken from the Passumpsic river and Store(
in ice-houses in this vicinity the present
season. 1t is usually taken from under 8
bridge. where there is less snow. and con.
sequently, greater thickness of blue ice
l. w. SANBORN.
Good Gales.