Expcriiucnfs uutJi Safety Blasting Pcncdcr. 515 



of a large number of spectators. Mr. Diueen, by request of Mr. Otto, 

 factor to the Marrinis of Lothian, had come from Leeds to exhibit the 

 peculiar qualities of this powder, which has not the explosive tendencies of 

 nitro-glycerine or dynamite ; and the place selected for the experiments 

 was a field belonging to j\Ir. Monro, of Fairningtou. Among those who 

 were present to witness the experiments were— Tiord Lothian ; Admiral 

 Elliot, The Kirklands ; W. E. Otto, Esq., Jedneuk ; Mr. John Monro, 

 Fairnington ; Mr. Eiddell, Hundalee ; Mr. Riddell, Menslaws ; ]\Ir. 

 Weaver, Ancrum Bridge-End \ Mr. Lyle, Nisbet Mill ; Mr. Ormiston, 

 Newton ; Mr. Scott, Oxnam Saw-mill ; Messrs. Hymers, contractors 

 Ancrum ; Mr. Bell, INFuirhouselaw ; &c., &c. 



In this field, which is generally known as Fairningtou Moss, but which 

 has been for some time reclaimed and cultivated by Mr. Monro, there are 

 several heaps of large boulder stones, several of them weighing about two 

 tons. They are hard whinstonc, and very difficult to break, The first 

 experiment took place at a heap which adjoins the estate of Sir "William 

 Scott, of Ancrum. Here, there was a boulder of about a ton weight, which 

 had been bored for the reception of a two-ounce cartridge. After the 

 cartridge was inserted a large stone was placed on the top of the hole in 

 order to give as much resistance as possible to the explosive power of the 

 powder. In the space of a few minutes all the arrangements were 

 completed, and the spectators retired to a safe distance. Three minutes 

 after the fuse had been lighted a loud report was heard, and fragments of 

 stone shot high into the air. Upon examination it w'as found that the 

 boulder had been shattered to pieces. To prove the safety with which 

 this powder can be used, Mr. Dineen then cut a cartridge in two, and, 

 setting fire to one part, which he held in his hand, it burned out harmlessly, 

 showing no symptoms of an explosive character. The boulder which had 

 been shattered was charged with a two-ounce cartridge, costing threepence, 

 and it may safely be said that it would have taken a whole day to break it 

 by means of manual labour. While the strength of this invention is much 

 greater than that of ordinary blasting powder, its price is much less. Thus 

 two shillings' worth of the former would perform the same amount of work 

 as four shillings' worth of the latter. One peculiarity of this powder 

 is that no ordinary amount of concussion will explode it, and that it can 

 safely be subjected to a heat of 250 degrees. It will not ignite under a 

 heat of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 



The next experiment was with a similar boulder embedded to some 

 depth in the earth. In this instance the earth was excavated to the depth 

 of a few inches below the stone, and the result of the explosion was that it 

 was rent in several places. In all probability the boulder would have been 

 thrown up into the air had there been sufficient resistance below the powder, 

 which, like dynamite, has a downward tendency, but the softness of the 

 ground modified to a considerable extent the action of the powder. The 

 third experiment was with a boulder which might have weighed about 

 10 cwt. It was thrown up a distance of nearly four feet, by a three-ounce 

 cartridge, and fell broken in two pieces, which were po rent as to Ije after- 



