Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1891 — Suggestions About Oil Lamps. [ARTICLE]

Suggestions About Oil Lamps.

The oil reservoir should be of metal, rather than of china or glass. Wicks should be soft and not too tightly plaited. Wicks should be dried at the fire before being put into the lamps, and should be only just long enough toreach the bottom of the oil reservoir. They should be jußt wide enough to fill the wick holder without being squeezed into it, and should be soaked with oil before being lit. The reservoir should be quite filled with oil every time before using the lamp. The lamp should be thoroughly dean, all oil should be carefully wiped off, and all chared wick and dirt removed before lighting. When the lamp is lit the wick should be at first turned down, and then slowly raised. Lamps which have no extinguishing apparatus should be put out as follows: Th© wfck should be turned down until there is only a small, flickering flame, and & sharp puff of. breath should then be sent across the top of the chimney, but not down it. — Hearth and Hall.