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to the door or doors, a solid piece of ironor steel plate
should be screwed, the same width as the door. This
will not only prevent the heavy beer barrels from in
juring the floor but keep it in good condition. Iron or
steel plates, like a cornice, should be placed in all the
four corners of the box to prevent the entrance of air.
Not more than a quarter of an inch in thickness, they
should always be screwed into the wood. A plate
should also be attached to the inside of the doors, as
well as to the door of the ice chamber, by screws, so
that it will, when the door is closed, cover the crevice
between the door and the jamb. Then there should
be the proper size door plates made to cover the sills,
and substantial doorhinges, handles and knobs. AVhen
this is entirely completed, well put together and
screwed up tight, have the box painted with two or
three coats to suit your own taste, though I prefer
white, as it helps to lighten the basement or cellar.
On the inside of the box, if there is room, have
shelves put up at the top, on which to place bottled
goods. At each end there should be a small shelf for
your tools, such as mallet, brace and bit, a can con-
taining plaster of paris and a bottle of water for mixing
the plaster, the latter to be used if any of the beer
parrels are leaking. If it is convenient, illuminate the
ice box with electricity; if not, a candlestick and candle
is to be placed on the shelves with matches ready for
use It IS also best to have a small iron chain attached
to the door, and a hook or staple, to which it can be
tastencd when beer is being placed inside, so that the
cloor will not constantly swing to, half closed. It is
also wise to put to the bottom of the box, on the out
side, good solid metal plates about five or six inches
iig1 (the height of the base), for the reason that it
lielps to preserve the box and keeps out the rats and
mice who might otherwise gnaw into the box. It is
to be "nnderstoocl, naturally, that the box should be