Homer guardian., 1889-12-27
TIE CARE or LAMPS.
One OF tho Most Important Domestic
Duties NCUadayS

ohs OF tho Most Important Domesti
Duties Nowadays.
A handsome lamp is certainly
great ad0rument to r>ym. Lamp
are now SO universally used that Ii,
care OF them has become ono of tn,
daily and most important of domcsti,
duties, not only Of the country but o.
the luxurious city homo. a few re
marks on their care may not be out OF
place, considering that a clear, brirh,
| llg mt adds so much to the comfort and
enjoyment of the evening occupa
tons, that one is we'll repaid fos the
daily djsagrceablo task of Keeping the
lamps in perfect order.
| To begin with, it is wrong to put off
cleaning the lamps until the latter
part OF tho day, or until wanted for
actual use, as the vapor of the oil
about q freshly filed lamp is liable to
explosion. 4 lamp should be filed at
least two thirds its depth, and ono
which has but a spoonful or two of oil
in it should never bo lighted, as tho
empty oilspace is filled With explosive
! vapor.
The disagreeablc lickerinr Of q stu.
dent lamp Is often caused by small
particles Of tho wick dropping into
the inside tube OF the cylinder sur,
rounding the wick, which prevents
the oil flowing freely from the barrel.
Remove the oil barrel before you in
sert new wick, and empty the lamp
entirely Of oil, pour into the opening,
down the wick ,cycIindel and whcr.
ever fluid will touch inside, boiling
water TO which has been added a
spoonful Of spirits OF ammonia.
In lighting lamp be careful not to
touch the wick with the match, as by
so doing YOU are liable to roughcn or CT
spread it. The proper way is to hold
the match over the wick very close to
It and wait until the flame reaches it
When the lamp is lit tho wick should
be first turned down, and then slowly
raised.
When nearly burned away wick
may be heightened by a field of Can
ton flannel pinned to the end Of the
wick, which, reaching to tie bottom
Of the lamp, will feed the wick az
the OIL burns out Don't cut your
wick, but, turning it just above tho
tube, take match and shave of the
charmd end, thus ius,uing an even
flame. Wicks should bo dipped in
vinegar and dried thoroughly at the
fire before being put into lamps, to pre-
vent their smoking.
A chimney frequently breaks from
having been to tightly screwed on, the
glass expanding from tho heat of the
flame. The chimney may be quickly
and easily cleaned by breathing upon
and into 1t, and wiping and polishing
1t with newspaper.
Lamps filled to ovcrhowing ore
very uncleanIy, soiling everything
brought in contact with them. The
wick should be turned down below
tho top Of the burner as soon as tho
lamp is cxtinguished, and if this be
done, and the lamps are carefully
wiped every morning, there should be
no oil on the outside by evening.
Many people after filling and trim
ming a lamp leave the wick turned up
ready to light Thisshould not bo done.
y you arc annoyed by not being
aole to keep your lamp chimney clear,
try using warm water and soda, or rub
!he smoky appearance with dry salt.
Lamp chimneys and all glass that is
% ho looked through, In fuct) should !
havc as Gttlo water lnat on them, once
hey are clear as Is possible Dry
tho chimncys with salt or |
cooking soda and bit Of newspaper |
should remove all discoloringa fhe |
ase Of soap suds Is to be avoided.
Lamps should be emptied occasion
slly and washed out with soap suds
soda or ammonia. This
sill remove tho greasy sediment from
he bottom, but care must he taken to
Try it thoroughly before retilling, or it
will eputter when lighted Lamps are
erked about, left 70 themselves and
lot unfrequently replenishcd while in
lctual use. (By the way, why is it
hat 50 mauy houseksepers keep
heir common lamps behind the
Iitchen or sitting room stove, tho very
lirtiest place to bo foundD 70 put in
wsh oil while tho lamp is burning is
pretty sure to occasion mischief. There
no reason to doubt that, if tho kero-
enc lamp wero fully understood, such
'nctices would bo discontinued, and
ever accidents would bo tho result
'arlor and Kitchen.