The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-09-26
ICE. SUPPLY FOR
i farm IS URGENT
Needed for Protection of Dairy
Products, Vegetables and
Other PerishabIeS.
PLAN FOR SUMMER SUPPLY
Natural Article May Be Harvested at
Time When Farm Work Is Not
Pressing-Expensive House Is
Not Necessary.

Every farmer who can put up nat
ural ice should plan to do so this win
ter as patriotic duty. Each farm ice
house will help relieve the drain on
the city supply and on transportation,
and will guarantee protection for the
dairy products and other perishables
from the farm when warm weather
comes again.
These war times make heavy de-
mands upon the fuel supply of the
country, and, paradoxical as it may
seem, it takes fuel to produce artificial
ice, while natural ice may be har-
vested at time when farm work is
not pressing and both man and horse
labor are not otherwise proftably en-
ployed.
Ice is one of those luxuries which in
many sections of the country can be
had for the gathering. The cost of
harvesting and storing 1t is not great
as compared with the comfort that it
brings.
An ample supply of ice is of greater
economic Importance in the country
home than in the city residence. City
people can purchase perishable sup
plies as needed, but the remoteness Of
country homes from markets often
renders 1t necessary to use canned,
corned, or smoked meat products dur
ing the season of the year when the
table should be supplied with fresh
meats. Not only is the use Of ice i'm
portant il the preservation Of fresh
meats, butter, and other table supplies,
but the production Of high-grade do
nestle dairy products is almost i'm
possible without it. Many markets to
which milk is now shipped demand
that it be cooled before shipment to a
degree not attainable without the use
of ice.
Type of House to Build.
Generally, the construction of an ice
house is question Of economy. The
cost Of harvesting and storing, interest
on the money invested, repairs and de-
probation on the building should off
set the saving in the melting of ice;
beyond this it is not good policy to go.
Since ice at best Is a highly perish
able product, requiring special equip
ment for its preservation, such natural
advantages as are offered by shade and
exposure should be taken advantage Of
In locating an ice house. A shady
situation with northern exposure has
a decided advantage as location for
such building.
In general design ice houses are Of
three types: (1) Those built entirely
above ground; (2) those built partly
above and partly under ground; and
(3) those Of the cellar type, built en-
tirely Below ground. The above-ground
structure Is by far the most common
of these types.
The advantages and Disadvantages
of these three types may be briefly
stated. Above-ground houses can, as a.
rule, be more economically constructed
than, either of the other designs. Ex-
cavations are expensive to make and
difficult to insulate and drain properly.
Insulation and Drainage.
Insulation and drainage are two OF
the most important factors in the pres
ervation of ice. 1t is true that the
temperature of the earth varies less
than that of the air. but the fact that
the temperature Of the earth at or
feet below the surface remains at or
about So degrees f. the year around
makes it quite as important to protect
the stored ice against the earth heat
as against the Heated air. 1t is more
difficult to remove ice as needed dur
ing the season from pits than from
structures above ground. Slight adj
vantages are apparent at harvest time
in favor of the cellar or the half