eliminating the ice pond this could be made still less but with a cor- 

 responding increase in yearly labor costs for hauling from some river or 

 lake. Depending on the source of the ice, above comparison shows 

 that the electric method may require a range in initial investment from 

 equality with that required for ice, to as much as 466% greater outlay. 

 Assuming a well built ice house the balance can be thrown in favor 

 of electric operation. In such a case as Fami No. 2 it will be seen 

 that the investment of $600.00 in an ice house would nearly equip a 

 farm with electric refrigeration such as described. 



It is obvious that with careful planning and manipulation the invest- 

 ment for using natural ice, which has considerable flexibility, could be 

 reduced a great deal as compared to such a farm as No. 2 and especially 

 from the standpoint of cash outlay. Without much doubt operating 

 expenses would increase in such a case. Turning to the investment for 

 electric operation it is apparent that this is a fixed quantity which there 

 is little or no possibility of reducing, that it is quite sizable in amount 

 and may require cash, although the installment payment plan is usually 

 available. 



However, when operating costs, quality and results of electric refrig- 

 eration are considered the matter appears in quite a different light. 



