Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1916-06-08
ICE WITHIN REACH
OF MOST FARMERS
BY Simple Methods 1t is DeIlv-
cred to Farms Regularly
and CheapIy
ICE CLUBS ARE PRACTICABLE
Cooperative Plan Has Been Worked
With Success in Rural Communities
Better Rates Can Be Procured BY
Purchasing in Quantities.

(By VIM. A. Schoenfeld, Division o
Extension, University of TENNESSEE
In the absence of cold springs 1t Il
weli.nigh impossible to preserve milk
butter, eggs and cooked foods of al
kinds in the farm home. When one
estimates the losses that occur from
spoiled food, and compares it with the
saving effected by ice, it becomes evi
dent that during the hot summer
months ice is as indispensable tc
the welfare of the family as cold
water.
The arguments for not using ice
have been that to drive to town every
day or every other day for 100 pounds
Of ice is too inconvenient; that the
expense is too great in a number of
localities in the south. These objec-
tons have been met by people in some
rural communities through co-opera-
tive effort. Where distances between
farm homes are not too great, and peo-
pie are unselfish and congenial, the
cooperative plan to organize an Ice
Club is entirely feasible.
It Is not necessary that there be any
dues to become a member of an Ice
Club. Twenty neighbors (more or
1ess) are sufficient to make a success
fui club. Under ordinary circum-
stances SO pounds Of ice day will be
sufficient to meet the requirements of
the normalsized farm family, hence, IL
there are twenty members in the Ice
Club, each taking so pounds of ice a
day, the club would require 1000
pounds each day The club should
appoint a spokesman or secretary,
who will make 1t a point to bargain
with the local ice plant for lots Of
1000 pounds of ice daily.
One of the local factories at Knox
vile Is willing to furnish 1000 pounds
Of ice daily for $3.50 at the factory.
If this ice were brought In hundred
pound lots, the price would be 20 cents
per hundred at the factory. Hence,
when ice is bought in 1,00O-pound lots,
there is a saving Of 80 cents per 1000,
or cents per 100 pounds.
How To Save Money Buying Ice.
The method by which a club Of this
kind operates is extremely simple.
After the club has been formed, and
prices for ice in ton lots at the factory
have been ascertained, some member
volunteers to go to the factory, pur-
chase LOO pounds OF ice (allowing
100 pounds for shrinkage), and deliver
30 pounds of ice to each member OF
the club. The next day some other
member OF the club drives to town,
purchases LOO pounds of ice, and de-
livers so pounds of ice to each mem
Der of the club. Each day a different
member of the club drives to the local
ice plant, purchases LOO pounds, and
makes the delivery. In that way it
will be necessary for an individual
member to make trip to town for ice
only once in twenty days. Arrange
ments may be made so that the mem.
Der whose turn falls on Saturday can
haul 1000 pounds of ice, and make |
his deliveries. Then 1t will not be |
necessary for any one to make the |
rounds on Sunday. The member who |
made the double delivery on Saturday |
can then skip his succeeding turn. In |
all probability it will not be necessary |
for any member of the club to make |
more than about seven or eight trips |
in a season, instead OF seventy or |
eighty trips which he would have to |
make If he were to act independently |
in the matter of buying and hauling |
ice. Not only is there a saving in the |
time spent in hauling, but there is also
a clear saving of money.
First-The independent method of |
buying and hauling ice tends to a hap
hazard use of ice. This alone may re-
suit in the spelling Of any food prod
ucts which require refrigeration.
Second-Ice can be bought much
cheaper in 1000 pound lots than in
smaller quantities.
At the Knoxville quotation a saving
Of so cents per ton, or cents per hun
dredweight would follow when ice was
bought in t,000-pound lots. or more.
To the farm family that uses so pounds
Of ice per day this would be a saving
OF 21b cents for every so pounds of ice
used. II we count the ice season to
he from May LIST to october list, which
amounts to $50 days, this would indi-
cate a saving of 1915 per season. This
Ss.75 could be used to bay $500 pounds
nP ice the next season.
The advantages of this method OF
buying ice are many. 1t provides a
steady supply of ice for the entire sum-
mer months. 1t obviates the necessity
Of driving to town for small quanti-
ties. 1t gives the individual member
wholesale prices on his small quantity
of ice. 1t devlops q community spirit,
in that every member Of the club must
visit every other member of the club
once in every twenty days No dues
are Necessary. Each member handles
his own funds, obviating the necessity
OF treasurer or treasury fund. 1t
provides a means for greater variety !
of dishes, such as ice cream, sherbet, /
and ice drinks.