The Bulletin. 13 



refiners would be content to make a little less oil, leaving out some 

 of the benzine, and some of the hibricating oil as well, there would 

 be no difficulty in producing illuminating oils of high flashing point 

 and excellent illuminating power. 



''The well-known astral oil, which flashes at 125° F., is a standing 

 protest against the claim of superior burning qualities of low-grade 

 oils. This is simply the heart of the burning oil freed from both 

 lighter and heavier deleterious ingredients. Tests made by the 

 authors have shown that the above-mentioned brand burns admirably 

 in modern lamps and by photometric tests gives results fully equal 

 to any in the market." 



There are some excellent oils of comparatively low gravity, high 

 flash, and uniform composition, as shown by the distillation test, ■ 

 and good illuminating power, now on the market in this State. Oils 

 of this kind burn uniformly with a clear, steady flame, without smok- 

 ing and with very little charring and incrustation of the wick. It 

 is the wish of the Division of Oil Inspection to secure this kind of oil 

 for the State, and the oil companies have expressed a desire to co- 

 operate with the Department for this purpose. 



SULPHUR. 



Sulphur compounds not only have an injurious effect upon the il- 

 luminating power of kerosene, but produce corrosive and poisonous 

 gases when the oil is burned. Sulphur is present to a small extent 

 in natural oils. The peculiar bad color of some of the Ohio oils 

 was found to be duo to tlio presence of an unusually large amount 

 of sulj)hur coini;u:u;ds. 



CARE OF LAMPS. 



In order to have good light, we must have good lamps as well 

 as good oil. Lamps must be kept clean. 



When oil burns in a lamp the lighter portions burn out first. 

 Consequently, after filling a lamp several times there is an accumula- 

 tion of heavy oil in the lamp which does not burn well. This oil 

 should be poured out and the lamp should be rinsed out with good 

 oil and refilled. Keep the burners clean and remove the charred 

 portion of the wick. The oil should be kept in clean cans or bottles 

 and should be protected from dust, water and sunlight. Water in the 

 oil causes a spluttering light. Wicks should fit the wick-holder 

 snugly without having to be squeezed into it. After each night's 

 use, the charred portion of the wick should be removed. When the 

 wick gets too short to reach to the bottom of the lamp, put in a 

 new one. Coloring matter does not improve the quality of oil, 

 but may accumulate in the pores of the wick and so retard the pas- 

 sage of the oil through it. 

 3 — January 



