New-York tribune., 1879-02-01

run in The grooves made by the cutter at q pre-
deep and % by 80 inches apart Following
this is q regular ice plough, having deeper
which sink the previous mark from three To i've inches,
according to the thickness of the ice which however i
ploughed and nterseced in this manner, with heavy
shape 10 admit Of their free passage through the
main canal, which has been previously cut from the
either towed by horses pushed aoDeby with long
pkepOcs In is progress through TINS canal men are
with tridents or chises. and the whole is sepa.
rated into single cakes before II reaches the aprOn
This cana s often sonrce of trouble and annoyance
especially where it the river channel the tides
by heavy tmbers at intervals On arriving at the dock
or apron the cakes are caught by series OF buckets
ccats, which secured TO an endless chain and
moved by steam power Thus the ice ascends the steep
from which il is slid into the various rooms on Tuns
and slowed away by men versed IN the business In
spaces between the Cakes for the ercuiaton of air pd
provided with several OF these endless chain
elevators, which is the greatest invention ever
made in the ice business. Previous TO tho
water cake by cake with horses system at once slow
labOrous and dangerous steam was scarcely thought
OF twenty years ago IN the ice business Various other
mprOvements nave been made i'll Ice machinery by
which saving OF time and labor has heen effected
and where II used TO take most of the Winter to MI
small house, the largest ia filled ten or twelve
working days All has gone smoothly and RAPIDLY thlS
year; the weather propitlOus, break downs ana ac-
cdents were few and It Is perhaps safe TO say th1t IN
stored should have added in the proper place mat
when e house becomes ull salt hay Is spread oyer the
closed until the ice is wanted.
TIE EXPOSURE AND DANGER.
The exposure aud danger incident to ice gathering are
ien considerable; although both greatly esscned
by the improved appliances in use. But often in
the ather. when the IS The home
stretch the poor ice lahorcrs must stand the ice
where the piercing wind sweeps along unobstructed
frequently carries with 1t OF sect or snow
which blinds their eyes and freezes their faces and
clothing They must rudge along the canal before day
light aud after dark, and handle the frosty implements
not having enough labor 10 keep them warm IN some
Many poor and scantily clad; others having
more means better prepared TO withstand the cold
but these. rule are assigned to positions Of less
exposure. On severe nights the canal IS Kept
open with great difficulty small party OF men keep
continually moving through IT, and receive extra pay
for the Job If successful Many these walk sew
era miles before daylight every morning to reach their
work Most of the danger is about the house itself
The runs and mbcrs frequently dccayed or insc-
curely fastened by creloSS and unskcd wotkmen Ice
accumulatcs OF runs and galleries not Intended
to bear such weight, and men are crushed beneath
hurrYing feet Slip ce-pla ed woodwork; sharp ana
ugly pikepOes mi their marx and open GhaStV Wounds
on Tho person Of conrade hnd yet, in yew Of tne
vast number OF uuskiilCd rcn employed, II Is sur
and that the loss Of lie Is not greater. Tue
al paid in tickets, which are Fu sequonty
redeemed Cashcd at certain places on stated days
With this immense crop IN store, IT VIII be some what
amusing TO wla new th0d VIII be resoficd 10 bl
the various companies TO get mp the customary cry OF
scarcity. One million tons will furnish about one ton
10 each inhabtant OF New-York and its adjacent cities
and villages which ought IL be fair supply. lee has
been secured further than usual this year hence
the demand for shipping VIII be less ana ice VIII dOuD
less be sold at a very lOW price next summer
ought TO add that many OF the estimates and stats
ties retcrpns to late years and the present crop given
above, were obtained from superintendent Dcnnet OF
the KnckerbQcker Company the great ice encyclopedia
Of The Hudson. which will be sufficient guarantee Of
their accuracy.