This explosive is so much slower in action than dynamite that a 

 -<.ries of properly gauged and properly placed charges will split a log 

 along the grain, just a- evenly as if a number nf- wedges were used. 



This method of splitting > much quicker, cheaper and easier 



than any other, that those who have once become proficient at it never 

 give it up. Auger holes one inch or more in diameter are bored along 

 the line of the grain, about one-quarter to one-half of the way through 

 the log, the depth of the holes and the distance between them depending 

 on the kind of wood, the grain and the diameter of the log. A few 

 ounces of FF Blasting Powder are put into the bottom of each hole, care 

 being first taken to see that the hole is dry, then wooden plugs are driven 

 firmly into the tops of the holes to tamp or confine the charge. 



In some kinds of wood it is best to leave a considerable air space 

 between the bottom of the plug and the powder. The plug must have a 

 groove in the side large enough to admit the electric squib wire or the 

 fuse. As blasting powder is exploded by a spark or flame it is not neces- 

 sary to use a detonator with it. Electric squibs are similar in appearance 

 to electric fuzes, except that they have a paper capsule instead of a copper 

 cap. They do not explode when the electric current passes through them, 

 but ignite the blasting powder by a flash. If electric squibs and a blasting 

 machine are used for exploding the charges, they can all be fired 

 simultaneously. This usually is the best and cheapest way as a little 

 less powder is required than when the charges are exploded separately 

 with fuse. When using electric squibs, it is only necessary to have the 

 groove or channel in the sides of the wooden plugs large enough for the 

 two small wires to run through it, if the cap of the electric squib is put in 

 place before the plug is driven in. When driving the plug care must be 

 taken that the wires are kept free, and that the insulation on them is not 

 damaged. If it is not convenient to provide wooden plugs in this work, 

 damp clay tamping may be used on top of a wad of newspaper. A log 

 two feet in diameter and four or five feet long, can usually be split in 

 two with one two-ounce charge of FF Blasting Powder. Longer logs 

 require two or more holes and logs of greater diameter require heavier 

 charges. The holes should be from one to two inches in diameter. 



Logs may all be split into fairly regular sections with dynamite if 

 care is taken not to use too much. To split a solid oak log ten feet long 

 and four feet in diameter, two or two and a half 1^4 x 8-inch cartridges 

 of Red Cross Extra 20% Dynamite are exploded in a hole drilled from 

 the outside to the center of the log, midway between the ends. This will 

 sometimes split the log in quarters if the charge is properly confined with 

 tamping. Only about half as much dynamite is required to split a poplar 

 log of this size. A two-foot pine log twenty feet long can usually be split 

 in halves with a single 1 J4 x 8-inch cartridge or less of Red Cross Extra 

 20% Dynamite exploded as described above. 



139 



