The spectator., 1921-11-22

of Asricuuurc.)
 Every time there IS fire on farm it takes away value that never can be replaced. Either the owner must be deprived of what may have been the fruits of 20 of the best years of his life or the insurance company will be called upon for check. which has to come out of the premiums paid by himself and other property owners.
 If there are many fires. the insur- nnce rates Increase. In mutual com panies. which carry large proportion Of farm insurance, the increase Is i'm mediately felt In recent year there were more than 3S000 farm fires in the United States. entalling loss of more than S1S.OOO. 900, of which 8 per cent was held to have been prevent able.
 Strive to Prevent Fires.
 Prevention of fires was made special subject of consideration in churches. schools, public gatherings. and farm organizations for an entire week this October The farmer. with the accumulation of many years tied m in his buildings, may well make every week tire-prevention week.
 According to the United States De. partment of Agriculture. practically every fire is preventahle. except those caused by lightning or of incendiary origin. Even wien the best preven- tive measures fnil and fires break out. preparatory measures will put the farmer and his neiChbors in better shape to suhdue them.
 Every fire must have an Nitinl flame. whether it be from n carelessly thrown match or cigarette. an eX- plosion of kerosene or gasoline. an explosion of grain dnst in thrash ing machine, or sparks from a sooty chimney ar passing enrine.
 Matches rever should he left loose or within the reach of children. Put them in noncombuStihle containers and have pocket match safe. Better yet. use snfety matches. which can be scratched only on the box.
 Smoking never should he permitted around the barn or in the vicinity of irflammnble matter. Matches, cigar or cigarette stubs never should he thrown where they cnn do harm.
 Kerosene md gasoline are useful servants. but destructive when let loose.
 They should he ricdly confined and never allowed to mix ar change places. Kerosene lnmps should he solid of base to prevent tipping over If they are of metal. there Is no danger of their hrenking md eni'llng oil. The wick shonld At tightly to prevent vapor from the howl reaching the flame and lighting. They never should he filled in the presence of an open flame
 Gasoline cans should he easily dis- t'ncnishaNle from kerosene cans. N ia better to store the gasoline Tn a buried tank Al least the tank should he awny from buildings. Vnpor never should be allowed to escape in close room or where there Is any fire.
 Stoves Cause Many Fires. Overloaded stoves and Hues cause many fires. ,Ch,mneys shoud he hui't from the ground if poss ble, md should not he attached to any of the frame work of the huilding so there can he uneven settling. They should be clenr of the weedwork and should d. ways he kept cseor of soot. Stovepipes should never paSs through inaccessible places like a i closet or gnret. If they must pass through the wall see that the stove pine hole Is provided with good "thlmh'e" Where walls and ceilings are near the pipe cover them with metal or asbestos. Every stove should have plece of sheet metal under t to protect the floor from hot ashes ard live coals.
 Never lenve in9ammable rubbish near buildings. Remove It. If it must |. hn h,,rpod usla it In ayuOu r.slos an th>