AN "OUT-BACK" ICE CHEST.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 4

AN "OUT-BACK" ICE CHEST.

Among the many draw-backs of bush life, that of keeping food during the summer in a cool, refreshing way is one of the greatest. During the scorching days men, after working in the burning sun, do not relish a lunch where the foods, and even the drinking water, are lukewarm. It being impossible in most cases to get ice, a substitute must be found, and as mine has proved very satisfactory it may be interesting to other women to hear about it.

It is necessary to get two casks, one small enough to fit easily in the other. Select the shadiest spot handy to the kitchen, and get a hole dug in the ground large enough to hold the big cask, allowing about six inches of this cask to come above the ground. Pour a small bucket of water into the cask, add to the water lib of salt, and lib of washing soda. Around the inside of the small ea.sk drive, some strong hooks or nails, and place the small cask in the large one containing the water. Spread a clean sack over the small cask, allowing the ends all round to go down into the water, between the two casks. The sack sucks up the water, and the evaporation keeps the contents of the small cask cool.

As much food as possible I hang in enamel billies on the nails on the inside of the cask. Milk, butter, jellies, custards, stewed fruits, and a couple of large billies of drinking water can all be kept in billies hanging round the sides, while the bottom is left clear for anything that might spill, such as fruit or meat, pies. The same arrangement can be made and Stood on a frame or box in a draught, but will not be so satisfactory, as the hot, westerly winds seem to penetrate too easily. Of course, if there are any animals about it will be necessary to close off the corner containing the- "ice-chest." —Margot in the "Daily Telegraph."