The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-02-16
Care Lamps.
r. IS A WORK OF ART TO KEEP THEM
IN GOOD CONDITION.

Lamps of some description are
found in almost every home. Not
only do the handsome banquet lamps
and dainty fairy lamps, which are
often used IN connection with gas or
electric lights, require special care, but
The commoner sorts, with their cheap
burners and narrow wicks should re
ceive intelligent care if we would Sc
cure the best results. This will not
proye to be hard labor in fact, it is
quite a work of art. Why not What
can give greater satisfaction than
lamp properly cared for--the bright
shining burner, the clear polished
globe, the well.rounded wick, all
brought out distinctly by the mellow
rays from the lamp1 Yet there are
homes I've see them occasionally in
which the lamps are really repusive-
looking things. The bowls are greasy,
dusty affairs the burners are black
ened by months of use; the chimneys
are smoked brown, and the light so
dim that home made candle would
be taken in preference by many.
Lamps should receive daily attcn.
.ion, in the morning, if possible.
There is much difference Of opinion
among housekeepers as TO whether
globes should be washed. Some good
housewives contend they should not.
However, that is only a matter Of
opinion. A large basin Of rain water
should constitute part Of the clamp
er's" outfit good soap, soft cloth to
wash the globes, another to dry them,
and one to polish them.
The lamp bowl should be empticd
once week, and it should be thor
oughly washed and rinsed, as the best
Kerosene contains a sediment that will
clog the wick, which, by the way,
should be washed and rinsed once
month. II the wick gets too short to
burn through an evening it may be
heightened or an entire new wick may
be pieced to it. This is, Of course, for
one of an economic turn of mind.
If the wick does not work easy in
the burner pull one or two threads out
Of it, and usually the difficulty will
have disappeared.
To secure a we'll shaped light is
some trouble and a constant source of
annoyance when one trims the wicks,
thing not to be recommended.
First, take time and trim the wicks in
to good shape. Try it by lighting the
lamp work with it until you are salts
fed with the shape and size Of the
light, then trim it no more. When
caring for the lamp, pinch the black
crust off the wick with the thumb and
the first finger. This will usually in
sure you 4 well shaped light.
The burners should be boiled in lye
every month. That made from wood
ashes is the best. Wash them in clear
water and polish with Spanish whiting
or any good polish for silverware. The
burners should be repolished weekly.
Before giving the kerosene can out
to be rehlled, it should be washed out
with hot soap suds, rinsed in clear
water and thoroughly dried.
In selecting lamps be sure that the
base is heavy enough to prevent their
topping over easily. If it is neces-
sary to use lamp in the kitchen
choose wall or bracket lamp with a
good burner and reflector. See that
1t is placed in such a position that the
rays will be thrown directly upon the
range and work table. The wicks in
all lamps should exactly fit the burn
er; if too large they will not turn
readily and the light will become dull;
if too small, the flame will flicker and
not give bright, steady light. Atten-
ton to details will prove very import
ant, and but little time will be requir-
ed to secure good results.