Fresh meat can be enjoyed at will, and the lengthening of the season during which many varieties of vegetables and fruits can be kept fresh for the home table will not only add to the health and enjoyment of the family, but it is in the line of economy as well. Good health is the best doctor, and the more generous living which cold storage brings within reach is a precursor of health. In sickness a supply of ice and cooled viands is often beyond price. The suffering its judicious use may alleviate, and the numerous instances in which recovery is impossible without it, commend a supply of so beneficent a commodity to all. Ice is a necessity to health and comfort, and, as it can be readily secured in nearly all communities within the frost belt, very few farmers should be without it. HOW LONG COLD STORAGE WILL PRESERVE.--No rules as to the length of time during which various articles can be kept in cold storage to the best advantage, can be given, which will apply invariably to all cases. In stating what is often done in this way it is intended to show what it has been found profitable to do, and what will be likely to prove of practical value to those who are starting in to make use of cold storage for themselves. Poultry and fresh meats can be kept sweet for two or three weeks. Beef is improved in quality by keeping this length of time. Butter, eggs and lard may be stored for three to eight months. Apples, according to variety and condition, from five to ten months. Pears, pulled when they will just come away from the stem, and carefully handled, will keep two or three months. It is best to ship them in two or three weeks, not waiting for color to mature, as this will be perfected by the time they reach the consumer. Concord grapes will keep two to four months in cold storage, and Catawba grapes will keep longer. Strawberries, blackberries and cherries will keep two to four weeks. Watermelons, three to six weeks. Muskmelons, two to three weeks. Peaches, four to six weeks. Oranges, lemons, figs, bananas and raisins, two to three months. Green corn, two to four weeks. Squash, four to eight weeks. Cabbage and turnips, eight to nine months. Potatoes may be kept a long time; they have been kept, on a trial, several years, with no apparent loss of quality. Canned fruits will keep well, and ice cream can be conveniently stored. [Illustration: FIG. 62. WAGON SCALE.] [Illustration: FIG. 63. ICE SHAVE.] [Illustration: FIG. 64. WAGON AXE.] [Illustration: FIG. 65. WAGON SAW.] [Illustration: FIG. 66. WAGON ICE TONGS.] THE TEMPERATURE at which these results have been secured varied from 34° to 38° F. Bananas, oranges, lemons, peaches, figs and raisins do better at 40°. Peaches, pears, berries, plums and all the more delicately flavored fruits keep in good form and appearance, but lose their delicate flavor if kept too long.