The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-11-09
PIOper Care fer Lamps to Get Good
Light.

Il is not necessary to enlarge upon
the discomforts caused by lamp that
IS irregularly filed and improperly
cared for such a lamp, redolent Of
the fumes Of kerosene, is a most un-
pleasant aud unwholesOme object.
Good lamps are cheap, and there IS no
excuse for using poor one. It IS gen
orally conceded that the sOftness Of
lamplight IS much greater than that Of
gas or electricity. The lamp has now
an established place on the library Ia
BILE, even in houses lighted by electric
ity or gas, while it is certainly the gen.
eral dependence of country houses.
The best lamps of porcelain, pottery
or any material that is liable to be
broken are fitted with metal oil fonts,
which do away with the danger OF their
being broken all those that do not
have these metal fonts should be re-
jected as dangerous. Some Of the new
kinds of oil fonts, besides being made
OF metal, are also fitted with valves
that close when the lamp is upset and
prevents the oil from running out and
the flame Of the wick from spreading
An overturned lamp is the usual cause
OF so-eailed explosions"
But there are few accidents Of this
kind in these days of high-test oil. a
little presence of mind and common
sense will ordinarily avert disaster.
The flames Of kerosene are easily ex-
tinguished a rug or wooden carpet,
shawl or almost any such object can be
used to smother the flame, and this Is
the cnly way of putting it out. The
most important thing is to keep cool -
If there is nothing else at hand. even
cotton is not 10 be despised, as a heavy
cotton rug or cloth VIII answer every
purposeif pressed close over the flames
but sand or earth is better than any
thing else. The mould taken from a
pot containing growing plant is often
valuable in an emergency, and will be
found much better than water, which,
in fact, unless used in great quantities,
only serves to spread the fire.
The most essential thing in securing
a good light from lamp is cleanliness
Keep the oil in close can or bucket,
where dust can not reach il. Keep the
fonts OF the lamp and ali parts of the
tubes that hold the wick, as well as the
burners, clean. a stiff little brush,
abundance Of clean cloths kept for the
purpose and bottle of alcohol should
be on hand to clean lamps. A few
drops of alcohol are better than water
and soap for Frightening the ehimneys
and removing the oily SCOT that aecum-
ulates on them and around the burners.
Polish the chimney with soft cotton
cloth. Brush the burner and all parts
of the lamp free from bits of wick and
dust. Wipe all crevices, and DO not
tolerate any lamp which contains con-
volutioas Of metal or porcelain that
can not be properly and easily cleaned
out. Kerosene oil, even Of the best
quality, IS all-penetrating. Il forms a
film even on the outside Of metal fonts ;
this must be daily removed.
The best way to trim lamp wick, as
every one now knows, IS to remove
only the charred portion Of it without
using the scissors. Ifthis is done there
is no danger Of the wick being uneven.
Lamps in regular use should have the
charred part of the wick removed at
least three times a week. All lamps
should be wiped Off and filed daily.
No burners should be allowed to be-
come incrusted with dust and oil, and
they will not get in this {, adition II
they are attended to ever. day.
The best way of put. Ag out lamp
or oil stove is to turT the wick down
until it shows only blue flame, when
this flame will ~ .ker short time and
finally go OF By this process one
avoids the unpleasant odor, which ac-
companies the blowing out OF a lamp
This odor is caused by a gas which i
consumed when the lamp is turned
down to blue flame and allowed to g
out by itself.-New York Tribune.