The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-30
ICE PROSPECTS.
Dependency of Ice Dealers In Connect1-
cut by Reason or Continued Mildness
and Fog.

Dependency of Ice Dealers In Connect1-
cut by Reason or Continued Mildness
and Fog.
NORwALK, Conn.,, Jan. 90, 1874
For the third time this winter fair covering OF
snow, which everybody hoped would remain
through the season, has taken uncere mOniOus de-
parture. leaving the ground bare and expectant
sleighers respondent. For the third time our
rivers, with few exceptions are clear Of ice, and
navigation is free and uninterrupted. The fresh
water ponds, the sources from which
dealers expect to secure their supplies OF ice,
are not, as a class, in condition to AFFORD any
degree OF encouragement. II dealers succeed
in housing one-half the quantity they usually put
in they will count themselves fortunate. glance
along the line OF the New York. New Haven and
Hartford Railroad, at the rivers which empty into
the Sound. gives indication Of the dark prospect
which ice dealers have before them. The cold tern
which set in on Saturday, and which continued till
Monday night, forming ice to the thickness Of
three and in some instances, five inches, has
given place to mildness, fog and rain, and the
2sth OF January is furnishing the materials
which may blast the fondest hopes Of the ice
gathering fraternity. The river at Cos-Cob is open
below the bridge, and above the ice Is moving out
with each successive tide and will wholly dsap-
pear in another twenty-four hours. Five Mile
vessels OF any draught need lear, and there is but
one pond In town where ice thicker than three
inches can be obtained The Messrs. Els ice men,
are making strenuous efforts to harvest this thin
nest OF crops fearing to trust the treachery OF
February and March for Ice OF greater thickness
Below the railroad bridge, and for mile above at
WestpOrt, none but 10ating ice appears and ves-
sells find no hinderance to enter or depart.
In southport harbor there Is no ice whatever.
port the same state Of affairs exists, with pros
poets continually darkening. Dealers in that city
ays no S a ay
Nangatuck and Housatonc railroads II the
tonic River, below the bridges, three in
number has been open all winter, and current,
which always sets seward will keep it SO unless
met by continued GOODNESS. The Milford people
were on Monday taking advantage OF the three.
inch Ice which nature had vouchsafed, DR.. Smeet
being among the enthusiasts who c0ntended that
"a little was better than none."
The question OF supply is perplexng the dealers
OF the city OF New Haven, where q 200 pOpua-
tion have long since settled to the belief that they
cannot exist without Ice the year round. New
Haven mas salt water on three sides OF 1t and has
to procure Its ice by hauling from the back coun-
try. The numerous railways which centre there,
however, some OF them connecting with lines
in Vermont and New Hampshire, and the facilities
prospects Tor supply, leaving out the question OF
price. less doubtful than 1t otherwise would be.
The condition OF the Connecticut River Is so we'll
known that not q word need be said further than
that 1t Is open for long distance from the Sound.
In the northern portions OF the state the ponds
and brooklets are more or less bound in ice; but,
FOR the most part, they are far from railroads. and
dealers would as soon call on the extreme north
by railroad as to negotiate in those direc-
ice Is slim indeed. But rarely do we
have winter such as this had been. Our rivers
generally close in December. from the 10th to the
10th, and remain closed till March. Snow visits us
about the same PERIOD and, except In rare in
stances holds its own till late In the winter. Now
all Is changed. No Ice no snowl but bare
ground, and green blades OF grass appearing, and
clear water running as II spring had actually ar
rived. The winter OF 1855 and 1860 Is the only one
since 1853 until the presently that we have had
such continued mlldness-such decided uncer-
tainty about Ice.