FUMIGATION WITH CYANIDE GAS. 207 



and equal distances from each end of the house. 

 As soon as the proper quantities have been put in 

 the bags, the latter are taken to the jars and then 

 a string is arranged so that each jar will have 

 suspended directly over it one of the bags con- 

 taining the cyanide. The end of the string is 

 then run out to the door and can be easily tied so 

 as to hold the bags in position just above the jars. 

 The string can be easily run through screw eyes 

 fastened to the sash bars or by some other method 

 which will readily suggest itself to the operator. 

 Everything being in readiness pour enough cold 

 water into the jars to about cover the amount of 

 potash in the bags. As soon as the water is 

 poured in bring the acid forward and slowly add 

 this to the water until steam begins to 

 rise. When the steam commences to show stop 

 pouring in the acid and arrange the next jar in 

 the same way. While doing this it is best to 

 have the bags of cyanide rest on the ground. The 

 water and acid now being ready readjust the bags 

 in their proper places so that they will drop 

 directly into the jars when the string holding them 

 is loosened. The operator now goes to the door 

 and by taking hold of the string allows the bags 

 to drop directly into the jars. The door is then 

 closed and in about a minute (sometimes less) 

 the violent action of the chemical changes can be 

 heard. No attempt whatever must be 

 made to enter the houses at this time, 



