Don't jam your shovel into the coal and load it down as much as possible. A few lumps of coal lying nicely on the body of the shovel can be handled better. The shovel should not be pushed into the coal by the knees, but should be worked only by the muscles of the arm. Throw the first shovelful of coal into the left hand front corner, the second shovelful in the right hand front corner, the third shovelful in the right hand back corner, the fourth shovelful in the left hand back corner, the fifth shovelful under the brick arch, close to the tube plate; the sixth and last shovelful under the door. To land this one properly the shovel must enter the fire-box and should be turned over sharp to prevent the coals falling in the center of the grate or the fire. Now comes the question when to fire. To fire properly, with the greatest effect in saving fuel, it should be done as soon as the steam begins to lift the valves, when by opening the fire-door and putting on a small quantity of coal the steam is checked sufficiently to prevent its being wasted by blowing off. Some engineers have an idea that unless the steam blows off furiously they have not done their duty by the engine. A big mistake this. When steam, water and fuel are being thrown away through the safety valves, it is a positive proof of the existence of either one or the other of the following evils: Either the engine is too small for its work or too great for its man, and both the engine and the man would do better on short runs; the former until it could be doctored, or the latter until he had learned to bottle his noise. The intervals between the rounds of firing, which should consist of six shovelfuls only each time the door is opened, is in every case regulated by the weight of the train or load, the state of the weather and the time allowed for running the trip, together with the quality of coal. The greatest possible mistake on an engine is putting on too much coal. The fire is choked, clinkers are formed, the temperature of the boiler is reduced, contraction and expansion sets in and leaks are formed--in a word everything goes wrong. The secret of good firing is to fire frequently, a little at a time. FEEDING. Having discussed fire, let us now consider the other element upon which the locomotive lives--water. The maintainance of steam in proper shape requires a knowledge of how and when to feed. The aim in feeding should be to regulate, as nearly as possible, the supply to the demand--just sufficient to keep the water at a proper level in the glass. This keeps up an even temperature in the boiler plates, tubes and fire-box, and this has much to do with the service of an engine. Many engineers always work their feed in the precise way to get the worst results. As soon as the boiler is full of steam and blowing off they turn on the pump full and keep it on until the steam is from 30 to 50 pounds below the maximum pressure before turning it off.