538 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



GATHERING, CARTING, AND STORING ICE. 



The provision of a quantity of ice is one of the duties that fall to the 

 lot of the gardener, it being invariably his function to provide a stock 

 sufficient to meet the demands of the family for the year. In the 

 case of a large establishment this is a very important duty, when it is 

 considered in how many ways ice is used during the summer. In my 

 own case, not only have I to keep the hall well supplied, but as it is 

 situated in a somewhat remote country district, the medical men fly 

 here in cases of emergency to get a supply necessary to aid them in 

 the healing arts. I am happy to know that in some instances lives 

 have been saved owing to our ability to supply this valuable agent in 

 cases of urgent danger and necessity. 



I have thought it worth while to set down some of my experiences in 

 regard to this work for the December number of the ' Gardener/ as 

 it is during the end of that month or the beginning of January that 

 we obtain our stock of ice; and indeed any opportunity for doing 

 this should never be lost, as the chances are sometimes limited in 

 number. 



Early in December the place in which the ice is to be deposited 

 is prepared ready for its reception when it appears. I like to store 

 it when about 4 inches in thickness, though some persons prefer 

 it thicker. And then we proceed to fill the house, which is 16 feet in 

 depth and the same in width, with an arched roof like that of a brick 

 oven ; on this there is 3 feet of soil planted thickly with Evergreens, 

 and the icehouse occupies a position on the north side of the premises, 

 the door leading to it being on the west side of the house, with a pas- 

 sage built of brick arched over, with three doors at intervals, which 

 lift from their hinges when required. This passage is 10 feet in length 

 and paved with flagstones, and when the pit is readied it is some 10 

 feet below the ground-level. At the centre of the bottom of the house 

 is a main drain, which receives the water from four smaller ones ; and 

 over these fagot-wood is placed for drainage also, as I find it very 

 important to allow the water furnished by the melted ice to run away 

 fully, as the bulk does not keep so well if the drainage be not perfect. 

 Over the layer of fagots is placed another of good wheat-straw, and 

 as the ice is built up in the house, a good thickness of straw is placed 

 between it and the wall. 



The ice is obtained from a pond about 400 yards distant, and is 

 brought to the house in carts, shot down at the door, and broken to 

 pieces about the size of an ordinary brick before it is stowed away. I 

 know that some recommend it should be broken smaller, but I can 

 see no advantage in doing so. rather the reverse, as the act of break- 



