Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-16

tive land than the plains of Colorado.
1t is nevertheless fact, however, that
by these ever-available agencies the
greater part of the population of Texas.
Arizona and New Mexico manufacture
their ice water. This not only serves
for drinking purposes but also provides
an efficient medium for the ordinary
requirements OF refrigeration--for in
the cruder sections OF the great South
west the artificial production of ice is
still a trifie too costly to be feasible.
Picture a cattle ranch sNuatted in the
center of hundreds of miles Of dry, sun
baked semi-desert land. There is just
enough growth of wild grass about to
satisfy the far wandering herds. wfich
drink from the thick, warm "a'eis "a
some artificial oasis.
A cowboy returns to the ranch AFTER
an all-day's exposure to the blistering
heat. With parched lips he rides quick &
Nv IN to a little red, oval-shaped Jar
susnended by a rope behind the house.
Ha takes off the cover, which Is mere
w there to keep out the blowing sanu'
and dins forth a cup of ice water whicn
h.s never come in contact with any
thing hut the sun-exposed sides OF the
,arthern receptacle which incloses IL.
,rhe water is always there, and 1t IS
,r.otic.llv effortless and costless in the
making of it.
The secret lies wholly in the con-
struction of the little red receptacle.
rhis is a simple Mexican creation, and
in that language is called an Ola, the
two rs being silent according to the
Spanish pronunciation Of the WORD.
Ill q
very profitable industry to the inhabi-
tants, who carr them over INTO Ari%,
ona on the backs of burros. A good
ola can be purchased from the proprie-
tor of one of these little caravans for
so or IS cents.
The OLA is made from a crude clay
ish mortar, composed of burro manure
and sand. This, with the use of a lit
tie water, is worked into piiaDie mass
by the Mexican, and when dry and
thick enough, nodded into the desired
shane of the vessel. In drying the CONS
position becomes very porous. and 1t Is
this essential characteristic which con-
tains the secret of the cooling process.
After having been painted over. both
inside and out, by solution OF harm
less vegetable dye, the ola is ready for
hung up, preferably in some place
which is exposed to the wind if there
be any.
In y few minutes the exterior of the
Jar grows slightly dark with the mois-
ture which mas seeped through the por-
Gus composition. The seeping process.
however, is very slow, and the mois-
ture which exudes evaporates into the
receptive. dry atmosphere in such
equable proportion that scarcely more
than drop minute trickles away
from the bottom of the oala. =
1t is this continuous, and fairly rapid.
evaporation, which produces the cold.
Immediately the sides of the ola be-
come chilled. and the water within
grows gradually cooler.
In less than an hour from the time
the phenomenon is begun the water is
cold enough for drinking purposes. no
matter how warm it might have been
when poured into the receptacle. Two
or three hours later it is cold enough to
fill the ordinary requirements of refrig-
Grafton for bottled milk, butter and
other culinary necessities.-New York
Times