If the fire in a stove has plenty of fresh coals on top not yet burned
through it will need only a little shaking to start it up; but if the
fire looks dying and the coals look white, don't shake it. When it has
drawn till it is red again, if there is much ash and little fire, put
coals on very carefully. A mere handful of fire can be coaxed back
into life by adding another handful or so of new coals on the red
spot, and giving plenty of draught, but don't shake a dying fire, or
you lose it. This management is often necessary after a warm spell,
when the stove has been kept dormant for days, though I hope you will
not be so unfortunate as to have a fire to coax up on a cold winter
morning. They should be arranged over night, so that all that is
required is to open the draughts in order to have a cherry glow in a
few minutes.
Good Housekeeping