THE ICE TRADE. 449 



The ice exported from Boston is acknowledged to be of superior quality to 

 that from other localities. It is not as porous as most of the ice obtained else- 

 where, and, besides, it is taken from clean, clear ponds of soft water, a con- 

 sideration too little regarded. 



The antiseptic property of ice creates a large demand for this commodity in 

 northern as well as in southern cities and towns. 



Dealers in fresh meats and fish would not know now how to carry on their 

 business in the warm season without ice. Hence there is a large demand now 

 for ice for such purposes ; also for keeping butter and other perishable articles 

 of diet. Vessels are no longer under the necessity of shipping live animals 

 for the sake of having fresh meat at sea. By means of an ice vault supplies 

 can be preserved for a long voyage. As a medical agent in tropical regions, 

 as seen from the report from India, it is deemed of the highest value, especially 

 in cases of fever. Its introduction there is deemed by the inhabitants a great 

 blessing. 



Machines for producing artificial ice have been invented, but it does not come 

 within the province of this article to describe them. 



Since 1860, owing to the rebellion, the southern ports, formerly the ice 

 dealers' best markets, have mostly been closed to the ice trade. 



In 1860 New Orleans alone consumed nearly 60,000 tons of Boston ice. 

 Meanwhile the home or local trade has largely increased, the consumption of 

 ice being not less than 100,000 tons in Boston and its immediate vicinity. 



ICE SHIPPED. 



The following statements show the custom-house clearances, with the esti- 

 mates of the coastwise shipments, in 1858, as arranged from the Boston Board 

 of Trade reports for 1858-'59-'60-'61 and '62 : 



In 1858, to the East Indies and China 12, 693 tons. 



Cuba, South America, and other southern ports 24, 262 tons. 



Coastwise, United States ports 55,640 tons. 



In 1859, to the East Indies 14,031 tons. 



Cuba, South America, and other southern ports 26, 886 tons. 



Coastwise, United States ports 88, 486 tons. 



In 1860, to the East Indies 14,803 tons. 



Ceylon 1,407 tons. 



Cuba, South America, and other southern ports 29, 042 tons. 



Coastwise, United States ports 97, 211 tons. 



In 1861, to the East Indies, Ceylon, and China 17, 308 tons. 



Cuba, South America, and other southern ports 25, 5 17 tons. 



Coastwise, United States ports 56, 948 tons. 



In 1862, to the East Indies and Cej'lon 17,416 tons. 



Cuba, South America, and other southern ports 25, 814 tons. 



Coastwise, United States ports 34, 872 tons. 



The total exports of ice from 1848 to 1857 were as follows : 



Inl848 57,507 tons.' 



Inl849 66,308 tons. 



In 1850 69,623 tons. 



Inl851 99,578 tons. 



In 1852 96,482 tons. 



In 1853 82, 572 tons. 



In 1854 115,315 tons. 



In 1855 98, 080 tons. 



In 1856 125,814 tons. 



In 1857 112,972 tons. 



In 1858 92,595 tons. 



In 1859 129,403 tons. 



In 1860 142,463 tons. 



In 1861 99,773 tons. 



In 1862 78,102 ton.s. 



In 1863 133,000 tons. 



A heavy dealer in ice, both coastAvise and foreign, says the coastwise esti- 

 mates are greatly below the actual accounts thus shipped. The trade with 

 southern ports not being required to obtain custom-house clearances, the amount 

 of ice thus shipped is left to be estimated, which estimates must, as in all simi- 

 lar cases, vary somewhat, leading only to the approximation of facts. With 

 the trade at foreign ports the case is different, as stated. 

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