Select a shady spot, on the north side, if possible, of a clump of trees. Throw up a circular mound, some 12 in. in height and at least 15 ft. in diameter, flattening the summit carefully, and leaving a trench around the eminence, 2 ft. in width and 18 in. in depth. In gathering the ice, there is no necessity of cutting into uniform shape or of seeking large pieces. Fill up the carts with any kind of fragments, transport them to the mound, and dump them on a platform made of a few planks. Ram the surface of the mound hard and firm, cover with sawdust, and then place the first layer of ice, which should previously be cracked into small pieces, for which purpose the men should be provided with wooden mallets. As each layer is put on the stack, the ice should be thoroughly pounded, both above and at the sides, so as to form a huge block of ice, the shape of which will be slightly conical.

When the stack is completed, it will require two coverings of straw, one lying upon the ice and the other supported on a wooden framework about 18 in. outside the first covering.

The layer of straw next the ice must be well beaten and flattened down upon it, and when this is done, be 12 in. in thickness. The framework, upon which a similar thickness of straw is placed, may be formed by inserting stout larch or other poles of a suitable length round the base in a slanting direction, so that they can be readily brought together at the top, and securely fastened with stout cord. From six to eight of these will, when joined together by means of strips of wood fixed about 12 in. apart, afford ample support for the second covering of the straw. This must be put on nicely, so as to prevent the possibility of the rain's penetrating to the inner covering. By this arrangement there will be a body of air, which is one of the most effectual non-conductors known, between the two coverings of straw. To effect a change of the inclosed air, when rendered needful by its becoming charged with the moisture arising from the melted ice, a piece of iron or earthenware piping a few inches in diameter should be fixed near the apex, one end being just above the straw, and the other end reaching into the inclosed space. The pipe can be readily opened or stopped up, as may appear necessary, but as a rule it will suffice to open the pipe once a week, and allow it to remain open for about two hours. This should be done early in the morning, as the air is then much cooler than during the day or in the evening.

In removing ice from the stack, the early morning should be taken advantage of, because of the waste which must naturally ensue from a rush of warm air at midday. That removed can be placed in a cellar, or even an outhouse, and be enveloped in sawdust until required. The ice must be taken from the top; and when the first supply is obtained, a good quantity of dry sawdust should be placed over the crown.