172 FARM HOMES, IN-DOORS AXD OUT-DOORS. 



boards covered with slabs. When ice is removed from it, 

 care must be taken to replace the covering as completely 

 as possible. Of course, a more elegant receptacle can be 

 builded if a farmer has time and money to devote to it ; 

 but if completely builded and shaded by trees or graceful 

 vines, even this arrangement will not be an eye-sore, 

 especially when dog-days shall have arrived ! 



A HOME-MADE REFRIGERATOR. 



A good refrigerator from the shops costs anywhere 

 from $18 to $50, according to the size and finish. Every 

 house-keeper may not be able to possess one, and so it is 

 worth while to see what can be done in the way of a de- 

 cent substitute : Secure two dry-goods boxes, the more 

 substantjal the better, one of them to be three or four 

 inches smaller than the other on all sides, and fix the 

 tops to open on hinges of iron, or stout leather. The 

 larger the boxes, of course, the more convenience and 

 .comfort is afforded. Place an inch or two of sawdust 

 over the bottom of the larger box, and set the smaller one 

 into it. Bore three-quarter-inch noles through both 

 boxes at either end, near the top, and insert a roll of stiff 

 pasteboard in each to act as ventilators. Then fill in all 

 the space between the boxes with sawdust. Put in shelves 

 at either end, leaving space in the center for the large 

 deep pan or pail that is to hold the ice. There can also 

 be two or three pegs, on which to hang pails of milk or 

 fruit. A large tin pail, with a thin round board at the 

 bottom to prevent its being bruised, would be the most 

 convenient thing for holding the ice. Such a refrigerator, 

 placed in the pantry, or some cool room, and covered in 

 the hottest days with a folded blanket over the top, which 

 is not protected with sawdust, would keep ice for twenty- 

 four hours ; and in half a dozen such days, pay f8r its 



