Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31
For the vERnoNT FARHER.
Economy In Fuel.

Economy In Fuel.
For many years after the FIRST settlement
of Vermont this was subject that received
but little attention. Wood was everywhere
10 abundant that the farmer gave more
thought to the easiest way to rid himself Of
q suporabundance than to any economy in its
use.
This course having been once adopted 1t
was not easy to change it, aud land was
cleared in many places that ought to have
been kept for permanent wood lots. The
introduction of railroads has caused au i'm.
mense increase in the consumption Of lumber
and fuel, so that at the present time the
economical use Of fuel is important for our
consideration.
Undoubtedly more attention onght to be
given to the growth and preservation Of for.
ests in order to provide against future wants,
but wish now TO call attention to several
ways in which there is great waste in the use
Of fuel, and the best modes of preventing it.
This point needs no argument, as It is admit.
ted by nearly all. A Western friend Of
mine claimed that it was economical not to
have much Of wOOdpile cut up beforehand,
as his "wOmen folks" would be more care
ful and not burn half as much as they would
if there was big pile to 20 to. But l i'm
agine that it will be some time before all our
snug Green Mountain farmers, aud especially
their wives, will be converted to this kind Of
economy.
There are, however, many farmers even
in Vermont whose supply of dry wood gives
out earlier or later in the winter, and they
are obliged to burn more or less green wood.
But think there has been quite an improve
meut in this direction Of late years, caused
mainly by the introduction Of horse power
machines for saving wood. Farmers are
more apt to get good sized wood piles and
have them all cut up and drying at once
than they were when the AZ was the sole re-
lance. But this is not the only way In
which these machines have proved econ,mi.
cal. They save what used to be lost in
chips. And tough, knOtty logs that could
not well be- worked up with the AZ, are uti
iEed by saving short, as there will then be
but few chunks that cannot be reduced TO
dimensions small enough so that they may be
burned in some sort OF stove.
Then there is great loss by leaving wood
exposed to the weather after il once becomes
dry. The best way is to pile wood, "
soon as split, under an open shed. A sin-
gle roof allowing free circulation Of air en-
all sides is as good rs any.
If Que will note carefully the difference in
heating power between a cord of wood thus
cared for and one split up 10 winter and al
lowed to lie exposed to sun and storm till the
next fall or winter he will be surprised at the
result
} II the woodshed is tight one it may be
best to pile the wood outside for while, till
it is partially seasoned, but the danger TO be
avoided will usually be found 10 letting it
stay out too long, rather than 10 putting it
in too soon.
Another loss is from unsuitable stoves, or
from having stove pipes improperly arranged,
aud still another from wood unsuitable in
/, size for the purpose it il used for. These
; may DO considered together. Wood to be
. used for cooking purposes, especially in sum.
mcr, should for the most part be split quite
= 6ne, so that it will both kindle aud burn out
quickly, and fire may be had when it is
wanted but for the warming Of dwellings
, or shops the reverse is true. Sometimes
/ when the stovep;pe is short, and the stove
4 draws we'll, aud foe dry wood is used, much
5 of the heat goes up chimney and is lest.
Y Such cases are the only possible ones which
I, furnish any argument for the economy Of
burning green wood, as mixture Of this
+ will prevent it from burning out SO fast, but
= it is much better to have coarse, dry wood
, and with the soapstone stove or any box
stove that has cover that can be raised
}. nearly all the tough knots that cannot be
y split can be used making, with proper care
Is Of the drafts, steady, durable FIRE, that ma y
be kept all night if desirable.
IT Sometimes a saving in heat can be effect
" ed by the use Of longer stove pipes, and
N have noticed within a few years that sheet
l. iron heaters have been introduced into store.
aud shops. They are usually placed upon
: the top or at the back end Of the stove
though think they might be located in 1
room above; the smoke and heat pass through
:, by tortuous course 50 that much of thu
" latter is retained.
= To sum the matter up in few words
may say;
, Never burn green wood
Never let wood that is dry get wet again
!, Let the wood be prepared with reference
to the use for which it is intended, aud hav
- - stoves and pipes properly arranged.
:, Waitsfeld, December, 1875. Il. A. \
= --s .. .--
For the vERMoHr Pa RHER.
. Feeding Meal to Save Hay,