The Scientific American gives an interesting account of the method of producing ice and snow by machinery. Steam is actually converted into snow by aid of steam, and solid blocks of ice are produced in a few moments.
    It is said that the process is exhibited in one of the refreshment rooms of the World’s Fair, where crowds are refreshed with ices made by steam. One hundred quarts of desert ices are produced in fifteen or sixteen minutes, and sixty different kinds can be made by one machine. This is much better than the tedious process by which our ices are prepared for the table; and what is of great importance for us to know, the machine can be mode to suit the convenience of small families. Rooms are said to be delightfully cooled by converting steam into snow. Mr. Masters, of the Royal Polytechnic Institution, England, is the patentee. We may be sure that our ingenious countrymen will soon introduce this new invention into this country. In our sultry climate it will be a most valuable acquisition.

From—The Portsmouth Inquirer. (Portsmouth. O. [Ohio]), 10 Oct. 1851. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.