FIG. 87. DU PONT NO. 6 BLASTING CAPS FIG. 88 



When handling blasting caps great care should be exercised as they 

 are much more sensitive than dynamite. Therefore, do not under any 

 circumstances carry them together with dynamite, or loose in your 

 pocket. Keep them away from children or irresponsible people, and do 

 not attempt to investigate their contents by tapping, picking or scraping. 

 In withdrawing them from the box do not use wire, nails or any other 

 sharp instruments as the friction might cause them to explode. A good 

 way to withdraw a cap from the box is to place the cover over all but one 

 of the caps, then invert the box over your hand, when the uncovered cap 

 will fall into the hand. When inserting fuse before crimping, do not 

 rotate the fuse as the end may scratch the fulminate charge of the cap 

 and explode it. 



Fuse 



Powder wrapped in jute and cotton yarn and sometimes in tape. 

 Many kinds are made, but either the Crescent or Beaver grades are 

 satisfactory for most work about the farm. 



Sometimes, especially in windy weather, it is difficult to light fuse 

 because the powder in the outer end may have become damp or a little of 

 it may have spilled out. When this occurs it is well to cut off an inch 

 or so, in order that the powder will be dry. A half inch of the outer end 

 of the fuse should be split with a sharp knife and spread out so that it can 

 be easily lighted in windy weather by pushing the burning end of the 

 match against the fuse immediately after the match has been struck. 



FIG. 89. BLASTING CAP CRIMPED TO FUSE 



Fuse should always be kept dry and should be stored in a cool, dry 

 place. If stored in a damp place it becomes damaged after a time and 

 many fail to burn through. If stored in a hot, poorly ventilated place, 

 as for example, close under the roof of a small shed in summer time, it 

 may be damaged either by becoming soft and oily or by drying out and 

 becoming so hard and brittle that if will break when unrolled. Fuse also 

 may become stiff and brittle in cold weather and when in this condition 

 should be warmed before being unrolled. 



112 



