As soon as the engine is started, coal should be put on often, a little at a time, and the grate should be kept covered, but not thickly—say to a depth of three or four inches. Be particular to fire evenly and regularly, taking care to cover air holes through the fire, and to keep the fire door closed as much as possible.
The grate bars should be kept well raked out from below, and the fire and coal occasionally stirred off the grate bars inside the fire-box, using the flat side of the poker for the latter operation.
Fig. 431.—See page [138].
Fig. 432.—See page [138].
