On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 11:27:37 GMT, "Broomhilda"
wrote:

Many cattle farmers in WV put a log into their remote ponds. This allegedly
helps keep an open space. I assume that the sun hitting the dark bark heats
the log and thus keeps the area around it ice free. Don't know if this is
nonsense or not.

Logs are also used to absorb the expansion of the ice so it doesn't damage
the sides of a cement pond or swimming pool. ~ jan