Q. Why does dry wood burn better than green?
A. 1st—Because no heat is carried away, by the conversion of water into steam: and
2ndly—The pores of dry wood are filled with air, which supply the fire with oxygen.
Q. Why do two pieces of wood burn better than one?
A. 1st—Because they help to entangle the heat of the passing smoke, and throw it on the fuel: and
2ndly—They help to entangle the air that passes over the fire, and create a kind of eddy or draught.
Q. Why does salt crackle when thrown into a fire?
A. Salt contains water; and the cracking of the salt is owing to the sudden conversion of the water into steam.
Q. Why will not wood or paper burn, if they are steeped in a solution of potash, phosphate of lime, or ammonia (hartshorn)?