168 BURSTING OF BARRELS. 





a considerable quantity of feculent matter ; which may be sep 

 rated by the following simple process : drop a few small pieces 

 of lead into the bottle, and hang it in the sun for a week or ten 

 days, when the residuum will sink to the bottom, leaving the oil 

 remarkably pure, and admirably adapted for the purpose just 

 mentioned. If it happens in the winter, when the sun is not 

 sufficiently powerful, hang the bottle near the fire, to keep the 

 oil perfectly fluid, otherwise, the residuum cannot sink. Goose 

 grease, or the fat of fowls in general, will answer the purpose 

 fully as well, if clarified in the manner above described. A 

 profusion of oil is not to be recommended if the locks are 

 rubbed with oily flannel or tow, it will be sufficient ; the inside 

 of the barrel should be wiped with oily flannel or tow, imme- 

 diately after washing, while it is warm. I rub the outside also, 

 as well as the stock, and indeed every part of the fowling-piece. 



BURSTING OF BARRELS 



Arises, in nineteen instances out of twenty, from the gun having 

 been kept in a filthy state, or at least not sufficiently clean. If 

 the inner surface of the barrel is suffered to rust, so as to form 

 specks, in washing the barrel, wet will always remain in these 

 specks, and thus facilitate the corrosion : the barrel, of course, 

 becomes weaker in these particular parts, and must ultimately 

 burst. Nothing is more common among farmers and country 

 people, than keeping guns loaded for months if for the purpose 

 of protection from thieves, loaded guns are necessary, they should 



