278 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



it and the roof filled with straw; as the ice around the sides 

 melts the space is filled with saw-dust; the house holds 50 

 wagon loads of ice, and fiiils of supplying two families, say by 

 the first of September. There has been no expense spared in 

 erecting the house, believing that it would keep an abundance the 

 year round. My queries are, is tan-bark a non-conductor? Is 

 there a better, cheap non-conductor? Ought there to be air 

 admitted at the bottom of the ice-house, or ought all air to be 

 excluded? Ought the ice to lie on a floor, or on the surface of 

 the earth, or would it be advisable to make a cement, a grouted 

 floor, to prevent any heat ascending from the earth? Which of 

 the two is preferable to cover ice, saw-dust or straw? The air 

 inside the house always feels sultry or hot. Can you tell me 

 what is the matter?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — My opinion is that the tan bark was put 

 in wet, or has acquired moisture enough to cau&e it to pack, until 

 it is not a porous mass, like straw, saw-dust, charcoal, &c., which 

 will preserve ice whenever it is surrounded two feet thick. Else 

 it melts from air coming in under the floor. Our great ice-houses 

 are very cheaply built — mere shells — the prevention of melting 

 comes from straw. The best filling in is charcoal dust; next, 

 turners' chips or short shavings; next, saw-dust; next, straw, 

 leaves, &c. The most perfect ice-house would be one absolutely 

 air-tight, except the top ventilation; and that is only necessary 

 when the ice is melting. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — My house is 14x14, as tight as possible 

 up to the eaves. The door enters the gable, and there is a floor 

 covered with one foot of straw. I pack the sides around and 

 over the ice with chaff", six inches thick. I fill in between cakes 

 with snow, to prevent any circulation of air. 



Mr. E. Baldwin. — My ice house is much like Mr. Gardner's, ex- 

 cept the walls are filled with planing-mill chips. My floor is stone, 

 covered with straw, no floor above. I fill solid and ice keeps well. 



Mr. R. J. Dodge. — Wet and decaying straw will cause ice to 

 melt. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker. — So will air getting in at the bottom, no 

 matter how well the ice is packed above. If no air reaches the 

 ice except at the top it will melt very slow. 



Pear Culture — Are Glout Morceau's worth Growing? 

 This old question was revived in consequence of some of this 

 variety being upon the table, of good size and fiiir quality. 



