CARE OF ASHES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1986, 6 July 1880, Page 4

CARE OF ASHES.

[“ American Agriculturist.'’] In the disposition of ashes, at least two points should be kept in mind, safety and cleanliness. If the ashes are from wood, no sifting is necessary. They should, if possible, he removed from the stove only when cold, that no live coals may be in them. In case this cannot be done, great care should bo taken that no fire is dropped on the floor, and in all cases a deep iron pail should be used, with a closely fitting cover. Wood ashes should never bo put in a barrel, or in any other wooden receptacle, the number of destructive fires that have resulted from a disregard of this caution is a fearful warning. Even when no fire is visible, there is still danger. The length of time for which a & fragment of live coal, no larger than a pea, will keep alive, when covered with warm, light ashes, is somthing astonishing; it hag been known to last thus for days. A pit of stone or brick, and fire proof, should be provided for keeping ashes/in a convenient, secluded place a short distance from the house. With these precautions there is little or no danger of these fires whioh, when left unheeded, are not rare in town and country. Besides, ashes are worth 25 cents a bushel, and are far too valuable to be thrown away. Coal ashes, though not so valuable, should bo properly provided for on the ground of neatness, it for no other reason. Nothing is more distressing to see, as is too often the case, a pan of coal ashes in one place, and a bon or barrel running over in another. These will be sown broadcast by the winds on the enow or ground, to bo tracked into the house at every step. Coal, that is hard coal, is rarely burned so completely that it will not pay to gift the ashes to save the unburned coal_ contained in them. When the clinkers are picked out of the sifted portion it is quite as valuable as fresh coal. There are various sifters whioh allow the sifting to bo done without dust, and if the ashes are sifted daily the task is easy. Coal ashes are of almost no value as manure, but they are useful on heavy soils, just as sand would be, to lighten them ; they make excellent paths and roads when mixed with earth, while for the earth closet they are as useful as dried earth.