Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-06-16
Care of the Lamp.


People who are using lamps should
know the right way to manage them, A
smoky, oily. strong-Smeling lamp is a
nuisance, while a wel-cared-for lamp is a
JOY and a comfort.
TO begin with, every lamp owner
should know that new wick ought to
he soaked or boiled in vinegar. This hny-
ing been done, there will be neither
smoke nor smell, while much brighter
light will be given.
Nicks are the main thing to be consid-
cred in connection with lamps. Unless a
wick is we'll cared for a satisfactory light
cannot be had.
In the first place. those who have the
care of lamps should never cut the wicks
rub the charrcd portions off every DAY
with soft rag. If the wick becomes too
short TO carry up the kerosene do not
throw II away, but fasten II piece of cot
ton cloth To the end below and it will
prove a good feeder. Wicks should NOT
he allowed to grow too short, however,
for then they clog the burners.
No better treatment for burners can be
suggested when they have become
gummy and prevent the wicks from NOV
ing freely than to boil them in Suds over
the fire for a short time. In this way
they may be kept clean. and clean
burner always works well. BY boiling
the burner all incrustations from the SET
tIlllSS vi Oh are removed
Once i'll a while the lamps themselves
become corroded and should be washed
ont with sOapsuds and very small shot
or Il little sand and shaken vigorously
for few minutes.
The admonition thoroughly to dry all
parts of a lamp seems hardly necessary
to give, but so important is it to have
the wick and the chimney perfectly dry
that every one should be warned on this
point.
New chimneys are often put into salt
water that is allowed to come TO boil
This is said to tougher them, but a good
chimney can best be cleaned by wipine
it in the usual way with soft cloth
that has been dipped in methylated spir-
it, This will clean it better than by
washing in water and it does prevent
the glass from breaking so easily. Pol
ish with channels.
When lamps become very dirty a tea
spoonful of soda to a quart of hot soaI
suds will cleanse them thoroughly, bun
the washing should be quickly done lest
the soda injure the outside metal, bronze
or decorated china. And the drying is
as important as the washington if a
lamp is TO be safe ii must be perfectly
dry.
Every morning lamp should be filled
when in use and the tank never filled ia
the top. Leave space of at least an
inch at the top-in all but the student
lamps-and these should never be quite
full. Never use an almost empty lamp,
as it is not safe to do so. The space
that is empty is sometimes self-filled
with an explosive gas.
Wipe the outside the whole lamp per
fectly dry with Il soft cloth. Lamps
sometimes smell from oil that is left on
the outside.
Wash glass shades every day unless
they are highly decorated. and then pol
ish with soft cloths. DO not allow dust
to settle on any part of a lamp, and with
ordinary care there should be neither
dust nor odor. but bright cheerful light
that will enable weak eyes to read with
out strain.
OF course. the best kerosene is the only
kind to buy. and if bought in ten-gal-
Ion can with a faucet ut the bottom a
smaller can may be filled easily. Keep
the large can in cool. dark place.
BY buying oil in quantities the vessel
is safer and more convenient to handle.
and if kept where candles and lighted
matches are not allowed there will be Ell
tire safety.-Philadelph Inquirer.