Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-11-12


TIMELY HINTS ON THE UsE Or Coal The
following timely hints on the economical use
Of coal. from the Scientific American, will be
found worthy of careful study by many of
our readers:
4 common fault is to use too coarse wood
for kindling, and too much of it. This, while
it generally succeeds in lightning the coal,
leaves, bed of ashes below the coal which
interferes with the draught unless raked out
--an operation which always retards the com.
bustion of ignited coal. The wood should be
of some rapidly burning variety which gives
a quick and high heat and should be split
ine. 1t shonld be so placed that the coal will
remain on the top of it, and not fall through
to the crate, leaving the kindIing on the top
Of any part Of the coal. The amount Of kind.
ling wood required depends much upon the
size of the coal. A common mistake is to
use too large sized COAL A good rule, where
stoves or furnaces have good draUght, is to
use coal as small as can be used without in
convenience from its sitting too freely through
the CRATE.
Crates should have their bars closely set
for stoves that are cleaned out daily, and have
fires lighted in them each morning, while
those which are intended to have fires kept in
them continuously for days or weeks will not
admit Of fine CRATES, on account Of the accu-
mutation of ashes and small "clinkers"
There is much difference in coal in regard to
the formation in regard to clinkers. These
are nothing but vitrifed, or partially yitrifed,
earthly matters. and only can form when
high heat is maintained; they are apt to be
troublesome when there is too great draught
A coal stove or furnace should be so con-
structed that its draught can be perfectly con-
trolled. The bottom draught should admit Of
being closed air tight, as nearly as is possible
to make it, and there ought always to be pro-
vision made for a top draught. If, however,
the draught of chimney should be so strong
that air in too great quntities is drawn in at
the bottom when the dampers are closed,
damper in the pipe, which will close it par
TALLY, must be employed, though in sluggish
chimneys such a damper is apt to force the
gases of combustion into the room, and there
fore it ought always to be avoided when pos
sible.
The practice of-putting ashes on the top of
a fire too keep tits very productive Of cliuAers,
although 1t answers the purpose very we'll in
other respects. Damp coal screenings are
better, and may be economically burned in
this manner, Ifa coal fire gets very low, the
quickest way to extinguish it is to rake it at
the bottom. To preserve FIRE under such
little coal should be placed
on the fire, and when it has caught more may
be added, and the raking deferred until it has
got well ignited. When the fire bricks have
become burdened with clinkers which have
fused aud adhered, they may be cleaned by
throwing oyster or clam shells into the fire
box when the fire is very hot, and allowing |
he fire to 90 out. The cIinkers will generally |
sleave OF without the use Of much force the |
next morning. From two quarts to one half |
a peck will be sufficient for most stoves, and |
he operation can be repeated if some of the
;liukers still adhere.