Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-11-25
Oheap Ice-Houses.

To satisfy the numerous In
quiries which every year flow in
upon US early in autumn, we must
give pretty regularly chapter on
ice-houses. This year almost eve
rybody that inquiries asks about
cheap houses. The cheapest ice
houses we know Of is really no
house at all. Many years ago we
knew Of its happening in Virginia,
that there was very cold spell,
and a gentleman wishing to save
the ice, and having a plenty of
straw, made floor of rails, IA
feet square, which he covered with
straw two feet thick; then layer
after layer of ice was piled up,
kept in place by stakes and boards
perhaps, and when the pile was
high enough, straw was stamped
down around it, and q wall built
probably six or eight feet thick,
and the whole was capped and
matched like a stack. The ice
kept well through the summer
All the conditions of a good ice
house were met-drainage, nom
conducting walls, and slight de-
gree of ventilation, or rather a
change of air, through diffusion.
In whatever way we meet these
conditions we shall succeed in
keeping ice. The most success
full packers put very thick mass
of straw at the bottom.
In building it is cheapest TO use
good materials. 1t is rare that
we save much in employing cheap
lumber. The stills OF the build
ing should rest on a stone founda-
ton, to keep them as dry as pos
sible, and 1t is best to lay this in
cement mortar. A tight floor Tor
a cement flOor) may be laid, hav-
ing a slight incline, in connection
with a drain to carry off the wa
ter through it. On this rails are
laid, which are to be covered with
straw, to support the ice. Upon
the sills, which may be 10 inches
wide and 8 inches thick, a frame is
set up of 10 inch hemlock plank
2 inches thick, 8 feet apart, nailed
to the stills with 3x4-inch strip
as a plate, nailed outside on the
tops of the upright planks. TIC
the planks are nailed the inside
wall and the weather boarding
These double walls should hardly
be less than S feet high, and as
the weather boarding is put on.
the space between the inner and
outer boards is filled with spent
tan bark, planning mill or carpenters
shavings, sawdust, or any similar
porous filling, put in dry, and well
packed. The roof rests upon the
plates described, and it is best tC
leave the caves extend a good
way beyond the side of the build.
ing, though not essential. The
ice should never be filled much if
any above the plates, and the
best for the door is in the gable
end, above them, although a door
may be made in the north end,
going nearly to the ground. This
is convenience, both in packing
and in taking out the ice, and may
remain closed and tightly packed
until the house is nearly empty.
Such doors are made with o com.
mon door for the outside, but with
in, instead of another door, is a
series of boards to fit horizontal
Ily between cleats in the door
posts. Tie the roof down, if
necessary, by mailing strips from
several Of the rafters on each side
to the plank stanchions to extend
above the plates, and nail or pin
them to the rafters. The space
between the sill and the roof
should be as little as possible, but
there should be a few auger-
holes or a'sliding shutter in the
north end, to prevent ventila-
ton. With such a house, II
feet square, or l2xl4, or lar
ger still, we think there will be
no difficulty in keeping ice the
year round. A structure such as