flat wick. Properly constructed, they supply oxygen of the atmosphere in larger quantity; increase the illumination with less oil; do not heat the oil, thus obviating danger from explosion, and give a more uniform, steady, brilliant light.

The rules for the care of flat-wick burners apply to center-draft burners.

The following is the result of tests made of several leading burners :1

The most important feature of a lamp is safety; second are brilliancy of illumination, economy, cleanliness, and durability. No lamp, can be deemed safe in which the oil is heated over one hundred and six degrees. The space above the oil in a lamp in which the oil is unduly heated, becomes filled with a highly explosive naphtha vapor. The higher the temperature of the oil, the more naphtha vapor is thrown off. Hence there is great danger from moving a lamp which has been burning one or two hours, as the agitation of the oil will tend to force the vapor upward to the flame, when an explosion is inevitable. A lamp in which the oil is heated above one hundred and six degrees should not be moved or carried about a house when burning. It is safer not to use such a lamp at all, and thus obviate the danger that may arise from carelessness or negligence.

1 NOTE.-The oil used was marked "Eocene," with a flash-test of 108° F. weighing six pounds five ounces per gallon, and commended for special refinement. The temperature at beginning was 65°.

As will be seen by the foregoing table the B. & H. and Belgian lamps gave the best of the most important results, and they possess all that can be desired for durability, brilliancy of light, and easy cleaning.

CHIMNEYS.

The bulb should There are more requires a chim

The chimney is an important factor in a successful lamp. If too large at the top, the flame is unsteady; if too small, the burner and oil are overheated. It should fit close at the bottom so that no air can pass under it. be large, and proportioned to the wick. than fifty kinds of burners, and every one ney specially designed for it, to make the right draft. When broken they should be replaced with the same. Get the best flint or lead glass, bearing the maker's name, costing a little more, but the cheapest in the end. They are made of the purest and best material, and will not break from heat. There is no economy in buying the cheap, common glass chimneys to be found in stores generally. They are usually worthless. A puff of cold air upon them when heated will cause their breakage, and render the lamp dangerous.

WICKS.

Probably not one person in one hundred gives a lamp wick thought or attention. Yet it is one of the most important factors in the burning of kerosene, as it is also one of the most probable causes of complaint of the unsatisfactory burning of oil. The markets are filled with cheap wicks, worthless and valueless at any price. Select an "American," or "Fletcher" wick which will snugly fit the tube, yet move freely when saturated with oil. If it binds in the tube draw a few threads from it lengthwise. It should only reach the bottom of the lamp, and should be changed each month.

SAFETY BURNING FLUIDS AND LAMPS.

A large number of so called safety lamps, and processes for making safety burning fluids, have been patented to render it possible to burn the explosive naphthas without danger. A keg of gunpowder is safer in a house than either. Agents go about, selling receipts for making the so called safety fluid, and claim that it is perfectly safe. It should be known that nothing can be added to naphtha that will change its explosive character. No lamp is safe with dangerous oil.

The chief substance of this so called safety fluid is gasolene, benzene, rhigolene, or other volatile constituents of naphtha―it is only naphtha under a false name, into which roots, barks, and salts have been introduced, only to leave it as explosive as before. The experiments given by the venders of these fluids to deceive the people, are very convincing. To show his mixture is not explosive, he will unscrew the wick-tube, apply a match where the vapor, if any, quietly takes fire and burns without explosion; or he pours a quantity in a saucer and applies a match. There is no explosion, the customer is satisfied, and to save a few cents per gallon, purchases the patent. Now, it should be borne in mind that a certain portion of air is necessary to cause an explosion of naphtha vapor. It requires some skill to properly mix these, and the vender is very careful that he does not do it. Equal parts of air and vapor will not explode; three parts air and one part vapor will give a vigorous flash; five parts air and one of vapor will give a loud report; eight or more parts air and one of vapor will give a violent explosion.

The sale or use of these so called safety fluids, or of any oil for illuminating purposes, the product of petroleum, which has not been inspected in this state, and approved, is prohibited in this state, and all agents selling such should be arrested, and fined or imprisoned as provided by law.

GASOLENE AND ITS DANGERS.

It is true gasolene may be used with a minimum risk of danger, but there always exists the liability to negligence, carelessness, a leaking can, and a defect in the stove; the stop-cocks may become worn and leak, permitting a flow of gasolene faster than it is consumed; the generating burner may be extinguished by wind, when the gasolene will continue to flow, and explode on relighting the burner. The stove has not yet been made that renders it "perfectly safe" to use gasolene. The danger lies in the gasolene itself, which is not safe to have about a house.

Certain precautionary measures may be adopted to render it less dangerous, if rigidly observed, to wit:

First. Keep it in a well ventilated, cool place, inaccessible to children; never in any part of a dwelling.

Second. No unclosed vessel, as a pitcher, basin, or cup, containing gasolene should be carried or placed within ten feet of a burning stove, lamp, gas, or flame of any kind.

Third. Gasolene should never be poured from one vessel to another in any room in which there is an open grate burning, nor within ten feet of a stove in which is a fire, lighted lamp, or a burning gas jet, as the current of air in a room is always toward a fire or burning lamp, and the vapor of gasolene will be carried in that direction and will ignite at a long distance.

Fourth. Never fill the reservoir of a stove when the burner is lighted, nor near another stove in which a fire is burning. To do so, an explosion is inevitable. When not in use, close the cut-off between the reservoir and burner. This will prevent overflow from defect or leakage at the burner. If there be an overflow of gasolene when filling the reservoir, or from the burner, wipe it carefully up before lighting the burner. If the overflow should become ignited smother it with a blanket or cloths. Do not throw water on it, as that spreads the gasolene and increases the

danger. This is true of the accidental ignition of any quantity of gasolene or kerosene. Keep the reservoir continually closed air-tight.

Fifth. If from leakage of a stove or vessel, there is discovered an odor of gasolene in a room that has been closed, throw open the doors and windows until the air is changed, before a match is struck or a flame of kind is permitted therein.

any

Sixth. It seems absurd to give warning against kindling a fire with gasolene, but the record of self-murder from this cause is evidence that this superlative folly is perpetuated to an alarming extent. A more certain and horrible method of self destruction cannot be easily conceived.

Seventh. Keep gasolene in a tight vessel, and after drawing therefrom place the cap over the spout and close the neck and vent-tube if there be one. This will prevent the evaporation of the fluid. It is from evaporation, filling the air with an explosive vapor, comes the danger. To test this, pour a tablespoonful of gasolene on a plate, wait a minute and see how near a lighted match can be brought to it, being careful to have your hand below the bottom of the plate.

Eighth. Never attempt to clean gloves on the hand nor dresses with gasolene, near a flame or stove. The fire in the stove will draw the vapor from the gasolene through the crevices, and ignite it like a lightning flash. The deodorizing of gasolene for toilet use does not change its explosive nature.