The Grand Haven news., 1865-01-11

81 -1flflf $50 IlfLn ~ n 4 a rl4 frfIftI4 4 I
1t was formerly thought necessary to
construct ice-houses either wholly OF par
italy beneath the surface Of the gro6nd,
but expefience has taught that' ice keeps
fully as we'll # not better, in houses
properly constFucted above ground thar
In those made with cellars or vaults. Ex-
perieuce has proved that IN order TO pre-
serve their contents well, ice-houses must,
be ventilated, and that the ice must be-
stored as compactly as possible. w, ,.o,s
We do not propose TO give plan with,
all the specifications for the construction
OF an ice-house, but to slate the essentials
in good house, and then each person deu
slrous OF constructing one can incorpor-
ate them into whatever plan bis situation
and means enable him TO follow. '"7o <
An ice-house for supplying an ordinary
family need not be large or expensive.7--
W1M well made and well filled, p house
eight by ten feet and six feet high has
furnished an ample supply fora large fam
lily. "A house twelvs feet in The clear in
slldirectiops will hold enough ice for the
household and dairy purposes OF any or
binary family. 1t is well TO place M, ice
house on the north side OF hill or I'M.
der trees where il will be screened from
the direct rays of the sun, bat such . sit
uation is not essential, as ice may be kept
IN houses exposed to the direct rays OF the
hottest summer sum-. It's essential that
the house have double walls, with some
non-conduclor of heat between, a double
roof packed in The same way, be vellvenT
tilated at the top, aud have good drain
age. The space between the inner and
outer wall should be from fifteen to twenl
ty,fise inches, and may be packed wiih
saw-dust, spent tan-bark, or chat, Saw
dust is said by those who have had long
experience to be the best substance for
packing. The inner wall may be ct
rough boards or slabs, anything in fact
which will make tight walLr The out
er wall should be neatly weather boarded,
and painted white, as white absorbs least
heat. The door should be on the north
side, and should be made to tit closely
so as to allow no currents of air to find
entrance. The space between the inner
and outer roof should DO from 10 to Is
inches, and should be packed with saw
dust or ian-bark. The inner roof may be
made OF rough boards nailed closely to-
eethcr. The outer roof should be well
shlngled, as q small leak will rapidly de-
quite steep. When the house is filed,
saw-dust or straw is spread thickly over
The top of the ice and bctweenlthis and
tht roof should be an open space for ven
tilation, and wooden chimney eight OF
ten inches square should pierce the roof.
The caves Of the roof should extend a
foot ortwo over'the sides togise greater
protection against sun and storms. The
door may be made of slabs or rough
boards laid with cracks Of ansinch or two
between each, and raised eight or ten
Finches aboveihe ground 70 secure drain-
age. The drainage should under no cir
cumstances be neglected, as any water
standing on the floor Of the house will
rapidly waste the ice. No cracks should
be left around the bottom or sides through
as such currents waste the ice as rapidly
as a stream OF water. 1t is well TO bank
up the earth around the out side for
about two feet as protection aea;ust
such currents.- Western Rural. -.