The Garden Under Glass

258 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS is filled with water, and flues and ash-box clear, the damper should be pushed in. If this be not done it will often be found that the draught is so strong that it is impossible to keep a lighted match in the bo iler. The bars should then be covered with several inches of dry straw, and over this may be placed some dry wood. Light the straw, and when the flame has well taken hold withdraw the damper and close the fire door. Wait until the wood is well alight and then put on some larger pieces. When with these a good blaze is obtained, coke or coal may be added, and the fire may be left driving for some time. Not until a good lire is obtained and the pipes are well on the way to being sufficiently heated should the fire be stopped or slowed down. How TO ReGULATE THE FlRE Boilers differ greatly in design, but the working of them is usually much the same. When a fire is being fully driven the damper is pulled out, the fire doors are shut and the doors of the ash-pit are wide open. In this way the draught coming into the ash-pit passes through and drives the fire and makes directly through the flues to the chimney. When a fire is fully stopped the damper is pushed hard home, the ash-pit doors are tightly closed and the fire doors wide open. To regulate it between these extremes means regulating the damper and the doors, and this can only be learnt by practical experience, for seldom indeed can two boilers be treated exactly alike. Another method of immediately stopping a fire when the afore-mentioned means are not quick enough is to throw on damp ashes or dusty coal. Coke breeze is also a good material for the purpose.