AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS AND RURAL ECONOMY. 47 



filled or well packed with sawdust or other non-conducting substances. A short distance 

 above the bottom of the icehouse there is a slatted floor. The slats rest upon proper sup- 

 ports, and the space between the slats and the bottom forms an ice-chamber. Just below 

 the upper ends of the sides there is secured a double inclined flooring, the highest point of 

 which is at the centre of the house, and inclining downwards towards each side ; and directly 

 underneath this flooring there is placed a wire-screen, a space being allowed between the 

 screen and flooring. This space is filled with charcoal or other proper absorbent. Holes or 

 traps are made through this flooring, which are provided with doors ; and at one end of the 

 house, at the upper part, above the inclined flooring, is the main entrance. The sides of 

 the house are kept firm, or prevented from spreading under the thrust or pressure of the 

 roof, by means of rods. 



The space or ice-chamber between the slatted floor and the bottom of the icehouse is 

 filled with ice, and ice is also placed on the inclined flooring. 



The articles to be preserved or stored are lowered from the upper or inclined floor down 

 mto the lower chamber, and allowed to rest upon the slatted floor. By not allowing the 

 outer door of the house and the trap-doors of the inclined floor to be open at the same time, 

 the lower chamber is kept free from atmospheric influences and changes of temperature. 

 The sawdust or other non-conducting filling, together with the ice, keeps the house at a low 

 temperature, the filling keeping the interior of the house free from atmospheric influence. 

 The charcoal and other absorbents keep the house dry by absorbing moisture and vapors 

 arising from the articles to be preserved. 



The house is placed entirely above the ground, and may be constructed of any proper 

 material wood would probably be preferable. In case of the melting of the ice, proper 

 pipes may be inserted to carry away the water, and the floors on which the ice is placed 

 may be properly inclined for that purpose. 



The construction of icehouses above ground, with double walls, filled between with straw, 

 &c., is not new, and is not claimed as such in this patent, but the general arrangement and 

 combination of parts for the more perfect preservation of fruit, &c., in all seasons, by 

 keeping the temperature of the house low by the ice and non-conducting walls; also main- 

 taining a dry and pure atmosphere in>i<le, by the use of the absorbents described. The 

 great feature of this invention is the prevention of incipient decomposition and decay of 

 fruit, which can be accomplished in a low and dry atmosphere the conditions fulfilled by 

 this fruit preservatory. 



Artificial Egg-hatching. 



THE system of hatching eggs artificially has recently received a new impulse from the 

 exertions of Signer Minasi, of London, who has labored to dispel the notion that top con- 



