8 Jan., 1907.] Farm Engines and their C^re. 5 



lation is instructive when worked out, as it shows the resisting power 

 required by boilers in dailv use, and too much cannot be said about the 

 necessity ofi engine-drivers giving all possible care and attention to the 

 boilers under their charge. 



BuiLDiNG-iN Boilers. — The best plan in building-in boilers that are 

 fired in the flue is to make them with split flues, and then into the bottom 

 flue, as there will then be the same heat on both sides. With a wheel flue, 

 the side w^hich receives the draught first must be hotter, and will expand 

 more than the side round which it goes before entering the chimney. A 

 boiler should be set with a projection of 4 inches over the front wall, and 

 as little brickwork as possible should be in contact with the shell. The 

 side walls of the bottom flue on which the boiler rests should not have a 

 greater bearing on the boiler than three inches. The side flues should not 

 be higher than the lowest water level, and both side and bottom flues should 

 be large enough to admit of a man going through to clean and examine 

 them. It is a saving of firewood to have all the flues cleaned and swept 

 out once in every two or three months, and the cost of so doing will be 

 amplv repaid by the saving in firewood. 



Feed Pump. — An important part of an engine, in connexion with a 

 boiler, is the feed pump. The feed tank should, if possible, be fixed at 

 such a height as will admit of the suction pipe being always full of water. 

 The delivery valve, and check or retention valve and deliverv pipe, should 

 have a larger capacity than the suction pipe and valve. This will prevent 

 anv undue strain on the various parts of the pump. If more than one 

 boiler is in use, it is a good plan to have a safetv valve fixed on the feed 

 pipe so as to prevent it from bursting, which sometimes happens when one 

 stot) valve is shut before the other one is opened. 



Miscellaneous. — I would strongly urge all drivers to always keep the 

 flue under the fire clear of ashes, and to never let them lie against the front 

 of the boiler. The ashes should be raked away clear of the boiler before 

 water is put on them. When you kindle the fire in a boiler never force 

 it, but let the steam get up gradually. Never blow off a boiler and fill it 

 up with cold water before it has had time to cool. If the water in ilx)iler 

 should get too low, never throw water on the fire before drawing it. but 

 draw the fire in the first instance — then if possible keep the engine at work 

 as long as the steam will drive it, and reduce the pressure in that manner. 

 This is a safer practice than that of lifting the safety valve and allowing 

 the steam to escape suddenlv. If the tube is heated, and the water is below 

 the top of the tube, allow it to cool before putting water in the boiler. 



The following short instructions to men in charge of boilers are com- 

 piled from numerous lists, &c., issued by boards and associations. (These 

 mav be divided into three — danger to life of men, danger to life of boiler, 

 and loss in fuel.): — 



I. 



1. Safety valves. Trv valve each morning by hand to prevent it sticking. 



2. Water gauges and cocks. Keep the glass half -full if there be no 

 mark on the boiler for water level. Blow through bottom cock about 

 every hour, and the top one twice a day. Too much attention to the water 

 gauge cannot be given. 



3. Feed pump or injector. Keep in good order. Make regular in- 

 spection. Listen for check valve, and make sure feed is working. 



