The Ice Crop: How to Harvest, Store, Ship and Use Ice

A practical handbook for anyone who works with ice, this volume walks readers through every step of the trade—from cutting and hauling the winter harvest to storing it safely in massive ice houses. Clear, step‑by‑step instructions are paired with detailed illustrations that show the tools and techniques that have replaced axes and saws with specialized wagons and insulated depots. A generous collection of recipes for chilled dishes and beverages offers tasty ways to put the commodity to immediate use.

The author also sketches the remarkable rise of the ice business, beginning with the first shipments out of Boston in the early 1800s and expanding to a national industry that now touches farms, dairies, breweries, and hospitals. By tracing how ice enabled year‑round food preservation, medical care, and even early refrigeration, the book highlights why the product has become a staple of modern life.

Beyond history, the treatise provides hands‑on guidance for building and maintaining storage facilities, managing distribution, and adapting the craft to today’s needs. Whether you are a farmer, a meat packer, or simply curious about the legacy of “natural cold,” the text offers a thorough, approachable resource.