44 Means of 'increajing the Quantities of Heat 



ball being pe rfeol.lv globular, and about. %\ or <z\ inches in 

 diameter. On this layer of balls the fire is to be kindled^ 

 and, in tilling the gra'tej more balls are to be added with the 

 coals that are laid on ; care mult, however, be taken in this 

 operation to mix the coals and the balls well together, other- 

 wife, if a number of the balls (hould get together in a heap, 

 they will cool, not being kept red-hot by the combuftion of 

 the unrounding fuel, and the fire will appear dull in that 

 part; but if no more than a due proportion of the balls are 

 ufed, and if they are properly mixed with the coals, they will 

 all, except it be thole perhaps at the bottom of the grate, 

 become red-hot, and the fire will not only be very beautiful, 

 but it will fend off a valt quantity of radiant heat into the 

 room, and will continue to give out heat for a great length 

 of time. It is the opinion of feveral perfons who have for a 

 coniiderable time praclifed this method of making their fires, 

 that more than one-third of the fuel ufually con fumed may 

 be faved by this fimple contrivanee. It is very probable that, 

 with careful and judicious management, the faving would 

 amount to one-half, or fifty per cent. 



As thefe balls, made in moulds, and burnt in a kiln, would 

 coft very little, and as a fet of them would laft a long time, 

 probably feveral years, the faving of expenfe in heating rooms 

 by chimney fires with bad grates, in this wav, is obvious ; 

 but itill it mould be remembered, that a faving quite as great 

 may be made by altering the grate, and making it a good 

 iirc-plaee. 



In ufmg thefe balls, care muft be taken to prevent their 

 accumulating at the bottom of the grate. As the coals go on 

 to confume, the balls mixed with them will naturally fettle 

 down towards the bottom of the grate, and the tongs mud 

 be ufed occafionally to lift them up ; and, as the fire grows 

 low-, it will be proper to remove a part of them, and not to 

 replace them in the grate till more coals are introduced. 

 A little experience will (how how a fire made in this manner 

 can be managed to the greateit advantage, and with the lealt 

 trouble. 



Balls made of pieces of anv kind of well-burnt hard briek, 

 though not equally durable with fire-brick, will anfwer very 

 well, provided they be made perfectly round ; but if they are 

 not quite globular their flat fides will get together, and by 

 obftructing the free paflage of the air amongli them, and 

 amongft the coals, will prevent the fire from burning clear 

 and bright. 



The "belt composition for making thefe balls, when they 

 are termed in moulds, and afterwards dried and burnt in a 



kiln. 



