When the ice (or snow, if ice cannot be procured,) is put into the house, it must be well beaten down with a pavior's rammer, or mallet, and the surface always kept concave, as by this means any snow or ice that may melt will run to the middle, or interstices, and freeze. For the same reason, the ice ought always to be kept concave when it is taken out for use. Should the frost be very intense when the ice-house is getting filled, it may be very beneficial at the close of each day's filling to throw in thirty or forty pails of water, which will fill the interstices and freeze. When the house is full, spread upon the concave surface a carpet, or sail split up the middle, and upon the top thereof a foot thick of water. When ice is required for the use of the family, or when it is necessary to put in fresh meat to lie on the face of the ice for preservation, or to take out for use, the straw and carpet, or sail, is to be opened in the middle. Should rats infest the place, an iron-wire frame or case may be required to put the meat or fish, etc. into when lying on the ice. A small open surface-drain ought to be dug round the house, to prevent any water running into it.

Opening the door of the house does little harm.

Damp or dense substances touching the ice is much more prejudicial than