Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-13

THE lady of house in which we are
sometimes q guest, was in great trouble
with her lamps, of which she had three or
four different styles tor burning kerosene.
One lamp after another, short time ago,
began TO burn poorly; new wicks were
put In all around, but in few hours they
were as bad as before. Being taken into
consultation, we suggested that she had a
poor Oil, but there was the Ger
man students lamp, in which the same
oil burned splendidly. We became inter
ested in the case, and made careful
diagnosis, as the physicians say. The oil
was of good kind, the wicks were new,
the lamps, of different styles, each ap.
parently perfect, and as good as ever
while all the lamps but one had been
gradually growing bad, and were now
nearly useless, this burned as well as ever,
and as well as any lamp need to burn.
A minutes thought given to the difference
between the students lamp and the others,
gave US the clue TO the trouble Asking
for glass jar, an empty fruit jar was
brought. and all the oil from one of the
delinquent lamps, with previous shak.
ing, was turned into it. The appearance
OF the oil in the jar was such as to call
forth an exclamation of surprise. and well
il might, for it looked like muddy water
Here was the cause of all the trouble, an
accumulation of dust and other impurities
The lamps had been filled month after
month without emptying; the wicks took
up the clear oil, leaving the particles OF
dust behind; the lamps being daily filed,
this dirt gradually accumulated, until al
last it was present in such quantities as to
clog up the wick and SO destroy their
porosity that they could not take up
enough oil TO give a proper light Clean
oil and new wicks being supplied, the
lamps gave as good a light as ever {" But
how did the students lamp help you to
guess what was the matter ~ we were
asked. Because we saw that the wick
was not in the maiE body OF the oil, but
was fed by tube which we noticed started
from the oil reservoir at some distance above
the bottom, so that the impurities could
settle, and not reach the wick. On emp
tying of the outer reservoir of this lamp,
the oil was found to be as bad as in the
others, but the particles of dust did not
get to the wick. The quantity of dirt III
the Oil induced us TO go a step farther,
and inquire where the main supply of
oil was kept; we found that the can was
in an open shed, and not far from where
the coal ashes were sifted; the funnel
used TO fill the feeding can was kept close
by. Here we had the whole story, the fun
mel daily wet with oil, was where il could
catch whatever dust might be floating in
the air, with an extra supply when the
coal was sifted. When the feeder was
filled, the dust from the funnel was
washed into it, and from thence it went
into the lamps, where ii accumulated with
the results we have stated. Of course
this, the main source of the trouble, WAS
easily remedied by providing a proper
place for the oil.can and funnel. The
lady was delighted at finding so ready q
way out of her troubles, and we relate
the case in order that others may profit
by the experience. AS most OF the lamps
now in use are of some kind OF metal,
their contents cannot be seen, and il will
be well TO ascertain occasionally the CON
dition of the oil within them. With the
utmost care some foreign particles will
find their way into the oil, and after a
long time that il the lamp will be quite
impure. If the oil cmptied from the
lamp is allowed TO stand few hours, all
the dirt will settle TO the bottom, and
the clean portion may be carefully
poured off for use See that the oil yes
seis and funnel, if one is used, are kept
away from the dust. - Fath Rochester, !"
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