When the frost begins to set in, cover the water-pipes with hay or
straw bands, twisted tight round them. Let the cisterns and water
butts be washed out occasionally; this will keep the water pure and
fresh.
In pumping up water into the cistern for the water-closet, be very
particular, in winter-time, as in general the pipes go up the
outside of the house. Let all the water be let out of the pipe when
you have done pumping; but if this be forgotten, and it should get
frozen, take a small gimblet and bore a _hole_ in the pipe, a little
distance from the place where it is let off, which will prevent its
bursting. Put a peg in to the hole when the water is let off. Pump
the water up into the cistern, for the closet every morning, and once
a week take a pail of water, and cast it into the basin, having first
opened the trap at the bottom; this will clear the soil out of the
pipe.