ExperiDicjits with Safety Blasting Powder. 5 1 7 



been closely pressed with earth, the fuse was lit, and the whole of the tree 

 stump was shivered in pieces, the heavier fragments falling asunder on the 

 road. Proceeding to the foot of this road, the party next inspected two 

 formidable roots, one of which weighed about two tons. Further away 

 were two of a smaller size. These were safely exploded in the manner 

 described, but the most satisfactory as well as the most destructive 

 evidence of the power of this new explosive was given by the manner in 

 which two tons of wood were scattered a])out the road like hailstones. 

 One piece struck an oak close by, ripping open the bark and making an 

 indention in the trunk of the tree. 



The last trial took place in a field adjoining the road leading to ^lount- 

 eviot from the Ancrum turnpike. Two pieces of iron rail, about two feet 

 in length, were there laid side by side. Upon the face of one of them three 

 cartridges containing ten ounces of powder were placed. Then, on either 

 side of the cartridges, which were tied together, pieces of sod were laid in 

 order to present a sufficiently level surface for the other piece of metal, 

 which was placed upon the top. It was understood that this was the most 

 crucial test which could be devised for the purpose of ascertaining the 

 strength of the powder. The road, it should be here explained, was distant 

 about two hundred yards from the spot wdiere the pieces of rail were lyiug. 

 The company lost no time, after the fuse had been lit, iu retiring to a safe 

 distance. A report like thunder followed, and after the noise of the 

 explosion had died away, a strange whirring sound, similar to that made 

 by a shell when passing through the air at a great speed, was heard, 

 followed by a dull heavy sound. On -going to the spot where the rails 

 had been placed, it was found that they had been broken in several pieces, 

 and that the greater portion had disappeared. Search was then made for 

 the missing fragments, but although several men standiog at a distance 

 heard the sound of some solid body striking against some tree in a 

 Avood close to the road, no trace could be found of any of the pieces of iron. 

 The report was heard at a distance of five miles. 



Mr. Otto and a number of those who had witnessed the experiments 

 complimented Mr. Dineen on the success which had attended his efforts 

 to illustrate and explain the uses and advantages of the powerful explo- 

 sive for which he is the agent. The great feature of this new invention 

 is that it does not explode when not confined by any resisting bodies. A 

 cartridge will burn like a piece of paper if held in the hand, without in 

 any way proving dangerous, or being offensive in smell. 



Altogether the experiments were highly successful, and were watched 

 with great interest by all present. 



[Since the above was written a piece of the iron rail has Ijeeu found four 

 hundred yards away from the scene of the explosion, and another piece has 

 been found at a depth of two feet below the surface of the earth,] 



