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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



October, 1908 



Two-burner Alcohol Stove 



the oblong opening just beneath the chimney. A lighted 

 match is applied here, the alcohol takes fire and quickly heats 

 the base, and on opening the gas valve by a few turns of the 

 screw regulator at the side the flame leaps up to the mantle 

 and the light is ready for use. It can be easily adjusted by 

 the screw regulator, and instantly extinguished by closing 

 the same. The construction of a burner of this type is shown 

 in cross section in the diagram. The wick, which is com- 

 posed of cotton, absorbs the alcohol, which, passing up- 

 ward, is vaporized by the heat of the metal part marked 

 "gas chamber." This remains constantly hot while the lamp 

 is burning, by the conduction of heat from the flame within 

 the mantle through the metal "heat conductor." The vapor 

 mixes with air in the gas holder and burns above the gauze 

 and within the mantle. The wick, of course, is not touched 

 by the flame nor is it scorched; but nevertheless it should be 

 replaced once every three months or so. These lamps aver- 

 age fifty candle power, so that they are equal to three in- 

 candescent burners. 



There are many places and occasions which require a 

 portable hand lamp, and these are much used even in cities 



and towns where gas and electricity can be had cheaply, as 

 is well known. For such purposes it may be confidently 

 asserted that no lamp is as satisfactory as the alcohol incan- 

 descent lamp. Those of twenty-five candle-power produce 



An Alcohol Heated Flat Iron 



only eight-six grams of carbonic acid gas per hour, 

 whereas a kerosene lamp of the same power produces two 

 hundred and thirty-four grams of this gas. The fouling 

 of the atmosphere of a room lighted by alcohol is, therefore, 

 less than half that caused by petroleum lamps. Furthermore, 

 alcohol lamps are perfectly safe, and can be carried about 

 from place to place. They do not make the hands greasy or 

 oily, as do kerosene lamps. They require very little atten- 

 tion, there being no wicks to trim. The light is uniform 

 and the lamp never smokes. As regards the initial cost, the 

 price of the alcohol lamp is about the same as that of the 

 kerosene lamp now in use. The cost of operating the two is 

 about equal also, for one-half gallon of alcohol will furnish 

 as much light as one gallon of kerosene, which costs about 

 half as much as alcohol. 



Indoor Bulb Culture 



{Continued from page 391) 



a well lighted situation, where they will experience any sun- 

 shine that may be about. At this stage the most remarkable 

 feature is the quick rate at which the shoots develop, espe- 

 cially if the plants are in an apartment which is well heated. 

 In quite a few days the leaves are fully expanded, and this 

 is followed shortly afterward by the opening of the flowers. 

 As in the planting, it is not wise to have too many specimens 

 under way at a time; the show can be spread over a much 

 longer time if just a few examples are brought out to the 

 light once a week. When once the blooms are out it will 

 be found that they will last very much longer in a cool north 

 room, for in the case of most plants a quick growth spells a 

 short life. 



All kinds of flowering bulbs are ideal subjects for house- 

 hold decoration. As has been hinted, it is in a general way 

 better not to grow the bulbs in fancy vases, especially as it is 

 such an easy matter to transplant them. The time chosen 

 for removal should be just before the flower buds expand 

 and yet when they have all been formed. If the business is 

 done too early, the plants will be likely to receive a check. 

 When the right time comes each bulb should be carefully 

 taken from the pot or box, in such a way that the roots will 

 be injured as little as possible. Next cleanse the roots in 

 warm water, and when the bulbs are quite free from dirt 



they may be placed in the vase or bowl. A very good ma- 

 terial in which to embed the roots is damp moss, and this, 

 if pressed firmly round each bulb, will hold the plant in an 

 upright position. The appearance of the whole thing will 

 be much enhanced if when the planting is complete the sur- 

 face of the material is covered with some bright green moss. 

 Daffodils look very charming if they are seen to be spring- 

 ing up through some fresh grass — a simple matter to ar- 

 range with the aid of a piece of turf. The covering, besides 

 looking attractive, also serves the purpose of keeping the 

 roots of the bulbs moist. A very novel method of planting 

 flowering bulbs is that of arranging them in large shells. 

 The receptacles can usually be obtained from any dealer in 

 curiosities, and should be good sized examples without any 

 cracks in them. An idea may be gathered from an accom- 

 panying picture as to how very ornamental these objects look, 

 in fact there are not many ways of arranging flowers so deco- 

 rative for a dinner table. Another delightful way of planting 

 out flowering bulbs is to place them in a good sized basket 

 of artistic design. In order to prevent the water from drain- 

 ing through the bottom, it is well to have a tin tray (galva- 

 nized to prevent rust) that will exactly fit. Such an ar- 

 rangement carried out with Roman hyacinths would make a 

 fine centerpiece. 



