Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-06-28
THE CARE OF LAMPS.
How to Keep Them In Perfect Order ana
Free from Obnoxious Odors.

HOW TO Keep Them In Perfect Order ana
Free from Obnoxious Odors.
The disagreeable Pickering of stu
dent lamp is sometimes caused by tiny
particles of the wick dropping into the
inside tube of the cylinder surround
ing the wick. thus preventing the oil
flowing freely from the barrel. Be-
fore inserting new wick remove the
oil barrel and empty the lamp entire
ly of oil, pour into the openin :. down
the wick cylinder and wherever fluid
will touch inside. boiling water to
which has been added a spoonful of
spirits of ammonia.
that the care of them has become one
of the daily and most important of do
nestle duties, not only of the country
but of the luxurious city home. If not
attended to every day, the perfora-
tions of the burners become clogged
with carbon and dust in u short time,
refuse to move easily, the light is
dimmed, and most unpleasant odor
ensues.
If occasionally our duties exceed
the limits of our time, and we find the
wick well-nigh consumed. a strip of
old soft cotton may be pinned to the
end of the wick for the nonce. and
thus convey the oil to it.
At some inauspicious moment hole
in the lamp chimney confronts one;
no other is nearer than the grocer's;
a neatly-cut piece of letter paper, gen.
erously covering the offending tract
ure. nicely pasted on. will serve until
we can do better.
Whenever the lamps are filled, with
clean. soft piece of flannel polish
the burners and mountings of the
lamps. 1t is hut a moments work.
and keeps them bright and shining.
Smoked chimneys and illkept lamps
are trying alike to eyesight and tenn
per.
A clear, bright light adds SO much
to the comfort and enjoyment of the
evening occupations. that one is well
repaid for the daily disaSreeable task
of keeping the lamps in perfect order.
Kerosene oil and lamps are now so
cheap that, even in the country, it is
no longer regarded as luxury, but a
necessity, to have an abundance of light
for home cheer and use.
The lamps used for sewing and
reading should be provided with
shades, not only for the comfort they
impart. but for the positive saving
they are for the eyesight A chimney
frequently breaks from having been
too tightly screwed on; the glass ex-
pands from the heat of the flame. The
wick is more evenly snuffed by rub
bling the charred edge with piece of
paper or soft rag. than by trimming
with a pair of scissors Before using
lamp-wicks. soak them in vinegar,
and dry thoroughly to prevent their
smoking
Turning the wick slightly into the
tube. and removing the chimney be-
fore blowing out the flame. is safe
and cleanly method of putting out
lamp. Not only is tie odor from
lamp partially turned down extremely
disagreeable. but the noxious gases
from it are equally unhealthy: The
chimney may be quickly and easily
cleansed by breathing upon and into
it. and wiping and polishing it with
newspaper. A piece of red flannel put
into the bowl of the lamp. besides Civ
ing a dash of color, gathers the inn
purities of the oil.
Burners sometimes get c.ogged and
refuse to turn up and down. This
may be remedied by putting them into
an iron kettle containing quart OF
water and double handful of wood
ashes. After boiling little while
take out, and with soft rag wash and
dry them perfectly. Or they may 30
put into q bath composed of equal
parts of milk and vinegar. and boiled
IN = Independent