To the country resident the problem of lighting the house is always more or less a vexed one. Candles for general use are artistic, while lamps for sewing, reading, and cooking are absolutely necessary.
There are ways of economising in burning candles. Long candles are more economical than short ones, as the small piece that goes into the stick is only wasted once. A truly economical woman can make candles from small the pieces that are left by melting the tallow or wax, picking out the pieces of wick, and pouring into paper moulds.
Candlesticks should be attended to each day, cleaned, and filled when necessary, and the candles changed about, so that those in a pair of sticks should be kept the same length. Brass candlesticks should be polished twice a week and glass ones washed every day. If the candles are removed and the sticks set on a paper above the stove all the superfluous wax will be easily removed.
Lamps must be cleaned thoroughly, filled every day, and wiped off after each filling. If the lamp smells persistently, the parts need boiling. Take the lamp to pieces as much as possible, put the parts in a big pan, and cover with cold water, add a handful of washing soda, and bring to the boil. Then remove the parts, dry thoroughly, adjust and trim the wick, and fill
