ANALYSES OF KEROSENE.* 



The standards for kerosene in tliis State are a flash point of not less 

 than 100° F. with the Elliott closed cup, and not more than 6 per cent 

 undistillable residue at 570° F., except that oils having a gravity of 

 47° Baume or higher may contain not to exceed 10 per cent of residue. 



CARE OF LAMPS. 



Poor lights are often caused by the condition of lamps and wicks. 

 The lamp should be filled and the charred portion of the wick removed 

 each time before lighting. 



New wicks should be put in every month. Used wicks should be 

 dried before the fire every two weeks and put back into the oil while 

 still warm. The wick is the vital part of the lamp. Do not try to 

 economize by using clogged wicks. Wicks are cheaper than oil or eye- 

 sight. 



The secret of a good light is a good oil, a clean chimney, and a dry, 

 well-trimmed wick. Chimneys may be easily cleaned by blowing the 

 breath into the chimney and wiping out with a newspaper or a dry 

 cloth free from grease. 



If these directions are followed there will be less trouble from poor 



lights. 



QUALITY OF KEROSENE. 



In judging the quality of a sample of kerosene of satisfactory flash 

 point all of the following facts should be considered : 



It should be water-white in color and otherwise well refined. A good 

 oil may be ruined by careless treatment in tanks and barrels. 



It should have a large per cent of oil distilling below 250° C, and 

 the residue at 300° C. (572° F.) should usually be less than 5 per cent. 



The Baume gravity should be well above 43 degrees. 



Burning tests should show a steady flame of good quality and good 



illuminating power. 



METHODS OF ANALYSIS. 



The oils were distilled by the continuous Engler method, so modified 

 as to complete the distillation in 25 minutes. 



The samples were burned with a No. 1 sun hinge burner for three 

 days of eight hours each. The condition of the flame and wick was 

 then noted. "Poor" indicates a strong tendency of the flame "to go to 

 pieces" with a marked encrusting of the wick, or with cinder formation. 



OILS TESTED. 



The analyses given are for all samples taken from original containers 

 by inspectors during the first four months of 1912, except that where 

 the sample of any brand was already sufficient for a complete test only 

 the January and February samples were included. The tests were 

 made on a composite sample of each brand. 



♦Approved by W. A. Graham, Commissioner of Agriculture. 



