8 The Bulletin. 



chinmcy. Burner and chimney shonld he kept clean. Burners may 

 be cleaned by boiling with water to which a little soda has been 

 added. 



If these directions are followed, particularly those with regard to 

 wicks, there will be less complaint of oil and lights. 



DEALER'S TANKS. 



Tanks should be cleared of dirt and trash at least twice each year. 

 It is to the interest of the consumer, dealer and manufacturer to see 

 that the dealer's tanks are kept clean. Kerosene dissolves various 

 substances with which it comes into contact. These dissolved sub- 

 stances clog the wick. The best oil, if exposed to the impurities so 

 often found in tanks and barrels, will give an unsatisfactory light. 

 Poor lights may often be traced to the lack of care in handling oil. 



Consumers should not patronize a dealer who sells dirty oil or 

 keeps a filthy oil tank. 



FRAUDULENT POWDERS. 



The attention of the Department has been called to several "Anti- 

 Explosion" and "Illuminating" Powders sold throughout the State 

 by irresponsible agents. These powders do not increase either the 

 safety or the illuminating value of the oil and may do positive harm 

 by clogging the wick. 



QUALITY OF KEROSENE. 



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

 flash point, the following facts should be considered: 



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



It should show a very large per cent of low boiling point oil, below 

 250° C. 



The distillate above 275" C. should be small. 



The residue at 300" C. (572° Fahr.) should usually be less than 

 5 per cent. 



The specific gravity should be below .810 (that is, above 43 de- 

 grees Ban me). 



The viscosity should be less than I.IG. 



Photometric tests should show a steady flame of good quality and 

 good illuminating power. The illuminating power of the best oils 

 does not drop more than 12 per cent in a burning test of 6 to 8 

 hours. 



Jlie various tests should he taken together in order to get a fair 

 estimate of the sample. 



