If a lamp wick is trimmed by shears, cutting it across just below the charred part, one end will almost certainly be left higher than the other. In such a case the wick cannot be turned up enough to give much light, because the higher end of it will begin to smoke before the remainder of it gives out one-quarter of the light which it should. If the wick is cut straight across, the flame will be irregular. This kind of a flame is caused by inequalities of combustion at the sides and ends of the wick. To cut a wick exactly square across is almost impossible, even if it were best; and a flame with a low center and a tall, flaring, smoky horn on each end is a bad flame. It is bad for the lamp chimneys and for the eyes. No lamp which has such a flame is properly trimmed. If one tries to avoid the horned flame by rounding off the ends of the wick, an imperfect flame will result. This flame may not crack chimneys, but it will give out but little light. It shows an honest attempt to trim the lamp properly, but an605unsuccessful one. To secure a good flame, the lamp trimmer should be instructed to turn the wick up until about one-eighth of an inch projects above the brass sheath. Next, let him take off the charred portion. Let this be done with the forefinger and thumb. Cutting with shears, besides the mischiefs already set forth, will take off more than is necessary. Rubbing off the charred portion with the back of a knife or a blunt edge of any kind, will generally leave fibres which will cause an uneven light. With the finger and thumb just enough can be taken off, and taken off smoothly. All that will not easily break off is good, sound wick, no matter how black it may be. To cut a wick down to the very white every time it is trimmed, results in a waste of one-half of it. After pinching off the burned portion of the wick, take just as little off the corners of it as a sharp pair of shears will take hold of and cut. There is always more danger that too much will be taken off than too little. But if just the right quantity is removed, and the cuts on the two corners are made at the same angle, the lamps will give out a broad, white flame. To trim a new wick, turn the wick down until the loose and unraveled end projects from the brass sheath, and light it before the oil fills it. It will quickly burn down to the sheath, leaving a straight edge, and can then be trimmed as directed above. The end can as well be burned down to the sheath before the wick is put into the oil.—The Analyst.