Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-10-17

1OGoNA u 1SSN4&SSSS WA ASs AGOSs
The Stove and Its Rivals.
With the abolition of back-logs and a
closing up of the grand old fireplaces,
around which our forefathers were wont
toassemble. the stove became master of
the realm, but between heaters and
ranges the cast-iron monarch has been
badly driven within the past few years,
especially in cities aud towns. No one
thinks of building a house Of any pre-
tentions nOw.a-days without a range and
heater, and the contractor provides for
the former even when erecting a row of
four:room houses. OF course, there
ara very Y9ny cook stoves in
,,se, but they are losing friends
rapidly. The heater has taken posses
sion OF our halls, churches, etc., and
would make more rapid headway but for
two important reasons, expensive con-
struction ard well founded doubt as to
its healthfulness, especially in the case of
invalids, its dry, enervating heat often
being very injurious. If the air sent
forth was always pure, which, as every
one knows, is not the case, and the coal
gas was entirely consumed, or kept
within proper channels, this hot air
would sill subject many to headache,
dizziness and general languor. TIE effect
i've arguments in favor of heating fur
naces are, an even temperature through
out the building, economy of fuel,
where a number of heated rooms are re
quired and safety against fire. But
when RECONSTRUCTED or placed in damp,
i'll. ventilated cellars they frequently
carry into the household serious illness.
This throws us backward half IA century.
and cOmpels the admission that the only
really healthful fire is an open wood fire.
1t is the best friend of all, the we'll or ill,
the strong or weak. It is Il cheerful, in.
spring friend, attracting irresistively
and putting every one in the best of
humor with themselves and all the
world.
II we cannot restore to supremacy the
back.l log king we can retain the open
CRATE. 1t is singular fact that the peO-
pie of that city famed for smoke-Pitts-
burgh-suffer less from coal gas than the
inhabitants of this or any eastern city,
and they use the soft, bituminous coal.
too. The secret of their comfort is to be
found in their open CRATES. They pile
half bushel of coal on few shavings. or
bits of wood, apply the match and away
it goes, cracking and roaring. Soon
there is cheering glow of heat through
out the room and what is more, every
particle of gas and foul air is swiftly
carried off up the chimney. Such fire
is not only perfectly safe in the sick
room, but has d wonderfully cheering
and inviyOrating effect upon q gloomy
patient. You fill UP tie CRATE and re.
tire, to watch the fantastic shadows on
the ceiling, but the music of the fire soon
puts you to sleep, and you rise in the
morning with your head as clear as a
bell. none Of that dizzy, heavy, sicken-
ing feeling inserarable from stove fire.
Next to the open crate it is claimed
that steam heating is the most healthful.
It diffuses pleasant, moist warmth and
has this certain advantage: it does not
impoverish the air of its oxygen. But
how can it he applied to general use ?
1t has been suggested that the means of
heating dwellings will yet be furnished
rs gas and water are now supplied in all
populOus towns. Great reservoirs of
steam might he provided in central po-
sitions sufficient to supply their immedi-
ate neighborhoods. If this plan could he
made practicable the cost of steam heat
ing would be reduced to a figure within
the means of economical households. As
American inventive genius is given the
credit the world around of being mex
it ought to take a fresh hold
of this problem.