296 



THE FARM MILK HOUSE 



The ice chute at one side is provided in order that the ice 

 may be taken out of the ice house without exposing the cold inter- 

 ior to the outdoor weather. It is also an entry for the cold 

 room to save waste of cold air. A simple ladder may be con- 

 structed on the wall of the chute next to the refrigerator room. 

 A series of doors in the side of the ice house, somewhat after the 

 manner of a silo, provides means for throwing the ice out. A 

 plank floor should be made at the bottom of the chute where the 

 ice will be found easily available for use in the cream tank, or 

 ready for any use. The ice house if filled ten feet high will hold 

 about 35 tons of ice. Built of wood with cement floor reasonably 

 well made, this building will cost approximately $400. 



Fig. 97. — Combination ice, dairy and power house on farm of F. Gruenhagen, Brainerd, 

 Minn. (Photo by author.) 



The cold water tank for keeping milk and cream sweet is 

 about the most important single piece of equipment about the 

 dairy. This tank under most circumstances should be located in 

 such a place that all water pumped for the stock shall first flow 

 through this tank around the cans of cream and milk. In this 

 way the cream gets the " cold " and the animals are provided 

 with the more temperate water and both are benefited thereby. 



Where eight-gallon or ten-gallon cans are to be handled it is 

 wise where possible to build the tank low in the cement floor to 

 avoid excessive lifting. The sides of the tank may well be built 

 up some six or eight inches above the floor level. 



