The Bulletin. 7 



residue, and impurities associated with it, not only increase the 

 viscosity but cause a cumuhitive cloojiing of the wick resulting in 

 constantly decreasing luminosity. The residue increases the tend- 

 ency to smoke and to deposit a crust of carbon. Subsequent use of 

 a high grade oil with the same wick will be unsatisfactory. 



The residue test is intended to take the place of the old gravity 

 test. With the recent development of new oil fields of varying char- 

 acter, the gravity test is. now hardly applicable. The gravity and 

 other physical characteristics of the crude petroleum and of the 

 kerosene from the different fields vary widely. 



The 6 per cent residue standard will be easy to meet as the refiners 

 can break the distillation readily at the necessary point, using the 

 usual gravity control. Oils well within the residue limit may be 

 examined by determining the viscosity. There is a close relation 

 between the amount of heavy oils or residue and the viscosity. 



It is estimated that about 9 per cent of the oils sold in the State 

 will be affected. Oils made of excessive amounts of "tops and bot- 

 toms" will be excluded. The increased cost of the oil concerned will 

 be less than |- cent per gallon. The price and quality of the better 

 grades of oil will be unaffected. This increase is very small in 

 comparison with the increase in quality, and in comparison with the 

 freight on oils, which will average almost 3 cents per gallon through- 

 out the State. 



Kerosene varies so widely in illuminating value and may be so 

 deceptive in appearance that some definite regulation is necessary 

 for the protection of the public. The standards should be so devised 

 as to hamper the trade as little as possible and permit the sale of all 

 reasonably high grade products. The ideal is a maximum of safety 

 and protection for the consumer with a minimum of restriction to the 

 trade. 



CARE OP LAMPS. 



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

 The heavy oils which accumulate in the lamp should be thrown out 

 every month and the lamp thoroughly cleaned. 



Do not put water into the lamp. 



The lamp should be filled and the charred portion of the wick re- 

 moved each time before lighting. 



Use a wick of good quality such as American, Fletcher or Wood- 

 berry wick. The wick is the vital part of the lamp. 



Neiv iricl's should he supplied every month or two. They should 

 be dried before the fire and put into the oil while still warm. Used 

 wicks should be similarly dried every two weeks. Wicks gradually 

 clog. Clogged wicks make poor lights. Don't economize on wicks. 

 They are cheaper than oil or eyesight. 



A smoky flame may be due to a cheap burner or an unsuitable 



