"The Ice Crop: How to Harvest, Store, Ship and Use Ice" by Theron L. Hiles is a comprehensive practical treatise written in the late 19th century. The book serves as a detailed manual for farmers, dairymen, ice dealers, produce shippers, and others involved in the ice industry, covering everything from harvesting techniques to storage and shipping methods. It also includes various recipes for iced dishes and beverages, showcasing the versatility of ice in daily life. The opening of the treatise begins with a preface that outlines the significance of ice in improving health, comfort, and industrial efficiency for the populace during a period of remarkable growth of the ice industry. It highlights the historical context of ice production in the United States, tracing its evolution from a minimal trade to a significant commodity essential for various sectors, including healthcare and food preservation. Moreover, it paints a vivid picture of a modern ice harvest, illustrating the labor and care that goes into collecting and processing ice, setting the stage for the practical information that will follow in the subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)