are to be used.  Wood charcoal produces a greater amount of heat than an equal weight of any other fuel.  Soft wood burns quicker and gives a more intense heat than hard wood, and hence is best for a quick fire.  Hard wood burns slowly, produces a larger mass of coals, and is best where long-continued heat is desired.  Anthracite coal kindles slowly, and burns with little flame or smoke, but its vapor is sulphurous, and on that account it should never be burned in an open stove, nor in one with an imperfect draft.  Its heat is steady and intense.  Bituminous coal ignites readily, burns with considerable flame and smoke, and gives a much less intense heat than anthracite, Lignite, or brown coal, is much less valuable as fuel.  Coke is useful when a short, quick fire is needed.  Kerosene and gas are convenient and economical fuels.

MAKING FIRES.—­If coal is the fuel to be used, first clean out the stove by shaking the grate and removing all ashes and cinders.  Remove the stove covers, and brush the soot and ashes out of all the flues and draft holes into the fire-box.  Place a large handful of shavings or loosely twisted or crumpled papers upon the grate, over which lay some fine pieces of dry kindling-wood, arranged crosswise to permit a free draft, then a few sticks of hard wood, so placed as to allow plenty of air spaces.  Be sure that the wood extends out to both ends of the fire-box.  Replace the covers, and if the stove needs blacking, mix the polish, and apply it, rubbing with a dry brush until nearly dry, then light the fuel, as a little heat will facilitate the polishing.  When the wood is burning briskly, place a shovelful or two of rather small pieces of coal upon the wood, and, as they ignite, gradually add more, until there is a clear, bright body of fire, remembering, however, never to fill the stove above the fire bricks; then partly close the direct draft.  When wood or soft coal is used, the fuel may be added at the same time with the kindling.

CARE OF FIRES.—­Much fuel is wasted through the loss of heat from too much draft.  Only just enough air should be supplied to promote combustion.  A coal fire, when well kindled, needs only air enough to keep it burning.  When the coal becomes red all through, it has parted with the most of its heat, and the fire will soon die unless replenished.  To keep a steady fire, add but a small amount of fuel at a time, and repeat often enough to prevent any sensible decrease of the degree of heat.  Rake the fire from the bottom, and keep it clear of ashes and cinders.  If a very hot fire is needed, open the drafts; at other times, keep them closed, or partially so, and not waste fuel.  There is no economy in allowing a fire to get low before fuel is added; for the fresh fuel cools the fire to a temperature so low that it is not useful, and thus occasions a direct waste of all fuel necessary to again raise the heat to the proper degree, to say nothing of the waste of time and patience.  The addition of small quantities