The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-01
ICE DE1LERs VERY ANXIOUS.
Alarmed by warm weather-A lIindranco
to Icc-MnkIng by Machinery.

The ice dealers were chccrcd by the few
days Of cold weather. but now they are de-
pressed again The low temperature did not
last long enough to freeze the upper Hudson
soidly, and yesterdays warmth went far toward
undoing the little that had been gained. No ice
has been cut ON the river. and the storchouses
along its banks are generally cmpty. Tho
prospect of n scant supply would present a pos
sihlc compensation in high prices. but no sup
ply would be as disagrceahc to the dealers ~
to the consumers Tho upper Hudson was
frozen over for only n few days in December.
and the ice broke up SO soon that hardly any Of
IL was cut. The companies have sent agents FAR
and wide to search for ice. but they have met
with little success. New England rivers have
usually been looked to whenever the Hudsons
yield was not sufficient to meet the demand;
but thus far this season none Is to he had from
that source. An employee Of the knickcrbockcr
Company has returned from Maine with the
news that no new ice is yet to he obtained there,
and that the quantity available from last years
stock is insignificant 4 week Of cold weather
would suffice to fill the houses on TN" Hudson.
Tor the cOmpan-, ARE rpudy for quick work
when the chance comes. Hundreds Of men in
the riverside villages depend every winter on
few weeks Of employment ON the ice for the
partial support Of their families, and they are
only too anxious for tho long-delavod annual
job. II is now 50 late, however. that they arc
The making of ice hy machinery suggests IT,
sell ~ means of supply in ease W" do not got
enough cold weather this winter 10 do the frerI-
ing naturally lee can be- readily mauuiac-
turcd in any weather. and In quantity sum lent
to meet any demand An establishment in West
street Is making leo regularly. and at cost
that affords good profit at or below market
rates. But there Is difficulty about thu bust
ness that Will surprise most readers. TIL" ice
thus made, although from Crotpn water is too
impure for USE in drinks. and can only b" sold
To butchers and others. who simply keep re-
irigcrators cool with II. On the contrary. the lee
from deep streams -"N"u from somewhat mud
dy riVrrs-iS the purc-t that can hr had Thus.
HUDSON river ice II really h"trr than that from
kockland lake. Tn" reason Is that I'm ircc2iuE
tn" water l. freed from impurities 50 long rs
there il plenty Of uncongcalrd water for them
To pass into. River lee il generally rrur. rl'un.
and without seams To marx oach nights layer.
In lakes the layers and air bubbles spoil the APP
pearancr OF the ice. In the mandatory Of lee
from Crpton water the cakes are irOH'u IN metal
cans which are submerged IN water that l.
kept NJ u low temperature 10y chemical means.
but which Is itself prevented from cong"aliug
by admiNture with glyccrinr. The water IN the
cans cannot free itself Of impurities. and the
central part of every cake. being the last 10
frrcze. II yellow. Many experiments IN iiltra-
ton have been made but without much success.
II Is said that company is being formed.
with several Fulton Market butchers MS urinci-
pal stockholders, To- manufacture Ice Mt pOugh-
kcrpSir next sumner should Their" h" no natu-
raj yield The transportation from that point
would run up the cost beyond the possibility Of
profit in ordinary Seasons and the water in the
lower Hudson Is too salt for the purpose. In
the mean time the regular dealers are eagerly
watching the weather indications.
PoUGHKEErSIE. Jan. 2G-The tnaw is rapidly
breaking up the lee IN the river. and il j. now
moving from Barrytown south. All ice cutting
has ceased. The crop averages .0un 900 tons
but not onc-third OF II has yet been harry