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LXXI. Directions for the Management of the Hot-house 

 Fire-places, that are constructed with Double Doors and 

 Ash-pit Registers. By William Atkinson, Esq. 

 F.H.S. 



Read April 6th, 1824. 



n the fire is first lighted, the ash-pit door may be 

 left open till the fuel be properly kindled, the door should 

 then be shut close, leaving the brass register so far open as 

 to allow sufficient air to blow the fire, but not more than is 

 absolutely necessary to make it burn well, not violently, nor 

 with a strong draught, for if more air be admitted than is 

 required for a moderate brisk fire, it occasions a great waste 

 of fuel, without increasing the heat. 



The fire-place door must at all times be kept shut, and the 

 sloping part of the iron frame of the door must be kept clear 

 of coals, so as not to prevent the door from latching. No 

 air must be let in at the door at any time, except when it 

 cannot be avoided, in feeding the fire. Any cold air that 

 may get in at the fire-place door is apt to rush over the fire 

 into the flue without being heated, and that air tends to cool 

 the flue, instead of heating it. Therefore all the air that is 

 necessary for blowing the fire must be admitted at the ash- 

 pit register, in order that it may get heated in passing through 

 the fire to the flue. 



It is impossible to determine the exact opening necessary 

 to be left in the ash-pit register to admit sufficient air, as 

 that greatly depends upon the goodness and length of the 



