Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-12-27
orr LAMPS.
How 20 Care tor and Keep Them Al
Trimming order.

hhNnsataaE "|
Philadelphia Record.
"Thsre are 200, 900 oil lamps In use in
this city between November and April
every night" said on inspector d. b.
Oannell yesterday. "These figures were
arrived at only fow days ago by all the
prominent oil refners and merchants in
the city as representing the total number
Of lamps thnt are lighted In this city
every evening during the winter months.
We did not go around and count the
lamps>in every house, but we arrived OF
this estimate, by allowing eight lamps for
every gRllon Of oil consumed nightly.
Lamps arS coming into use IN the
most fashionable houses" continued the
inspector, land the oil mon are Of course
tickled.to see what . strong hold the
fashion hiss taken with the public, as It
means IN increased demand for their oil.
II ia quite common to purchase lamps for
Christmas and wedding presents, and
lamps are now finding their way into
houses where gas has been constantly en-
ployod as an illuminant. There are
lamps, designed more for ornament than
use, being for sold for $50, $75 and
800 apiece, and ! am particularly anxious
that tho servants of the rich, as we'll 81
housekeepers generally who are charged
with the care OF the LAMPS, should know
how to perform that task and avoid al
risk Of explosions. There need not be a
single explosion II proper precautions
shall be taken.
"In the first place, good oil should be
used. The law Of this state requires all
oil that Is exposed for sale TO stand q test
of ITO degrees before taking fire, bat the
oil in this market runs from ITO 10 100
degrees. Even 110-degree oil Is safe
when 1t 10 used in properly constructed
lamps. OIL can be had which will stand
test Of 800 degrees, but this Is seldom
used. A lamp should always be kept
clean, and to do this il should be filed
every day, and at the end Of the week
empiied Of all its contents. II the oil Is
kept standing vapor will form In the
body OF the lamp, and this can be re,
leased by removing the GRIP through
which the oil is poured. In q well con.
structed lamp this vspor is drawn of by
vent that leads from the bowl to the
burner. The removal OF the cup will
permit the vapoE to escape instantly; but
1t should not be done when the lamp IL
lighted, for fear OF the vapor coming In
contact with the fame. After lamp has
been in uso for o week oil the best part
Of Che oil is burned ont and the
dregB sink to the bottom. By emptying
the lamp this residuum Is removed, and a
bstSer light will be obtained.
Especial attention should be given to
the burner and wick. The life OF tho
Ia afr Il ~ s,, 10
holes in the disk around the wick tubo
Sometimes these holes get oloeged or
gummed up, and then the burner ahould
be boiled for few moments IL salsodA
and water. The soda can DO procured al
any grocery store. Particular care should
be taken to zee that the wick tube 10 large
enough, 30 30 not to bind the wick and
check the flow Of oil. The vent is the
safety-valve Of the lamp and IL should be
kept free from dirt and gum by boiling in
salsoda and water. When this becomes
stopped up and the yapor is not permitted
to escape from the bowl by the removal
OF the cap an explosion may ensue. But
IL the vent shall be kept open there is no
danger.
Another word Of caution. Many PEG.
pie are in the habit OF setting lamp in
daytime on the mantel over the kitchen
range, where the temperature Of the oil
tGg.sasoa ana a yapsr q lr9ated An
I explosion happened Hos irl5 $50
t'a hi' gsrv csnse. DarinR tnS ts,
lamps should be kept In room where
the oil will not get warm. BY all means
never fill lighted lamp with oil. Let
people who use Tampa heed these intruo-
tions and there will not be an explosion. I"