Evening star., 1920-11-26
HOW TO MANAGE THE HOUSE
LIGHTS AND AVOID WASTE

partition in the middle Of it. SO that
the box Is divided into two compart-
ments Of equal size. Line one OF these
compartments with pure white paper.
the other with red, and place lighted
candle in each. It IL thus possible to
see them both at once and readily to
perceive the difference in illumination.
II one is in doubt about the Illuminating
quality Of wall paper this experiment
may save the necessity Of changing 1t
after it has been applied.
The Chandelier.
The mid-ceillng chandelier is a
common example of badly utilised
light. The same number of burners
distributed about the room would diff
fuse the light, instead OF concentrat-
ing it between the burners where 1t
cannot be used. The same quantity
Of light properly distributed would
provide reading light for the whole
family.
Persons often try to read with a
above their heads. although the light
is uselessly diffused all round large
room. The use of q modern scientific
reflector would throw the light d.
rectly down on the book or paper, in
stead of allowing it to be wasted. A
twenty -candlepower light thus equip
per will give more illumination on the
book pages than a forty candlepower
light without the reflector.
1t is evident from, the foregoing that
the most efficient lighting would be
supplied by clear lamps behind plain
glass globes in a room finished in
pure white, but such room would
tire the eyes and, perhaps, inJure
them permanently. 1t is more i'm
portant to save the sight than to save
the cost Of Illumination.
Therefore, avoid all illuminants that
have red or violet rays. Avoid flicker
ing light, for the iris of the eye is un-
able to keep pace with violent huctua- :
tions, and soon tires. Lamps should not
be placed so that the light falls upon
produced Is very trying to the eyes.
Neither should lamps be placed so that
the direct rays from the filament or
fame strike the eyes. If a bright source
Of light Is seen, a picture Of it Is formed
on the ,retina that blots out the picture
reason that we cannot see beyond a
bright light. although there may be con-
siderable light falling on the objects in
the background. Light that comes from
an unusual angle should be avoided. as
certain parts Of the retina are not pre-
pared to receive strong light. Light re-
flected from a powerful chandelier hung
low produces a sense of fatigue and
may even result in temporary blindness
Too little light is as bad aatoo much.
the eyes by too much Hight iainfrequent.
Do not expect to get the full benefit
from dirty lamp. SCOT and dirt. even
though hardly perceptible to the eye.
will lessen the efficiency of any lamp.
No housewife would leave the windows
unwashed for a year and still expect the
house to be light. yet many persons
neglect to clean the lighting glassware
and the fixtures.
About Lamp Shades.
Lamp shades are another source Of
frequent loss of Illumination. Not until
recently were lamp shades and ref1ectors
made according to correct principles.
Shades can now be had that diffuse the
light equally through all parts Of the
room. that throw the light evenly over
given space or that focus it on a
desk, table or a reading chair. Here,
again, red is the worst possible color
either for radiation or reflection. five
put a red shade on a lamp, only the red
rays will be transmitted; the rest will
be absorbed by the glass. Instead of
getting all the energy q thSs light, We
get only that OF the red rays. II the
shade is very light in color and thin in
texture, it transmits light through its