National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-08
Ice Houses.

An unfortunate impression seems
to prevail to the effect that ice
houses are expensive articles OfluX-
to be enjoyed only blythe wealthy
This is a very mistaken notion
and one highly prcjudicial to the in
tcreStS Of the masses, for ice i'll the
summer season should be, not only
a luxury, but a necessity i'll every
family, and no former who has its
utility for single season, would ev-
er, willingly, be without it. In the
dairy it is invaluable for cooling
milk, cream and butter, and also in
the lauder for preserving fresh meats
&c, for family use, and in the treat
ment of iniamatory diseases its use
cannot be to higly eXtolled. Manya
farmer thinks he cannot afford an
ice house, when for want of one, he
iooSeS more in Il season in cream and
butter, than the cost Of one.
They may, indeed, he so construct
ed as tomake them quite expensive,
by erecting ornamental structure to
adorn the premises, eXcavating from
foundations and laying floors Of ce
mcnt, with underground drains, &c,
which is all well and desirable for
those who can afford it; but for
those whose means are limited, rude
and simple structures made at 4
triiling expense, will do Just as well.
TO insure good keeping Of the ice,
scclusions from the outer air, good
drainage and good Ventilation are
all that is necessary. Ice housas
may be put up in cellars to be ser
vicable, but it is generally aclinowl-
edged fact that ice keeps better
above ground, the hollow, tan-tilled
walls of boards being better non
conductors of heat than walls of
stone or brick.
\ good place to build a cheap lee
house is under some shed, or where
| ii will be shaded from the sun by
trees or buildings, and Il northern
aspect should always he selected,
and the door be always on the north
side. \ box ten or twelve feet
square is large enough for Il good
sized family. This may he roughly
made and battened, the floor may
be of loose planks laid with straw or
poles, or Scantling may be laid in
the bottom and slabs laid over them;
, any method will do that will secure
good drainage, as the ice will melt
rapidly Ill contact with water. "A
space of from ten to fifteen inches
I.,I,. Il l,bt Ina n n an
, box and the outside boarding, and
, this space should be filled with spent
, tanbarl< or sawduSt The roof
should also be double and filed in
the same way, and provided with II
we den chimney for Vcntllation.-
The ice should he cut and stored
:, when the weather is cold, in cakes
!, to such Il size as TO fill all the space
= to within six inches of the sides and
- twelve inches of the top. The cour
Is Scs should be laid SO rs to break
:, Joints. and compactlN, 50 as to form
, when all is in, Il solid mass of Ice
=, if any spaces should occnr bctweei
4 the cakes, they must be filled tight
:, ly with pounded lee. The spac,
y. surrounding the ice should he pack
-. ed with clean straw, saWduSt %
+, turning chips, but there should b'
r Il little space ON the top III ordcrt
=, facilitate ventilation. The top ven
-, tilation must be good, else the stray
-, will gather dampncss, and the con
~ ~ tact with the ice will cause it to mel
Il. rapidly.
nj The building should he thorough
~ ~ ly banked up around IT to preNeh
~, all circulation ofair,and the Gtouh'
~ should be sloping 50 as to carry ol
Is all drainage. II an ice house
' ,'' near running water It may be yer,
~ easily filed IN freezing weather D
.n' nl,rin" a hose or other conductor
nus sons to allow the water to slowl
'o fan into the interior when 1t vi
so ,rirlc in a dense solid mass, whic
ms Will Keep better than ice laid i'll Sc
,ho crate cakes.
Nv L. ii. THOMAS.
NV Taunton, Mass.