minutes of proceedings OF 
lot 
and size of grain had all increased, and pressure had materially diminished. The 
importance of velocity and low pressure need not be explained, but it may be 
stated that increase of density is an advantage, not only in improving the 
keeping qualities of the powder, but also in making it pack into smaller bulk, 
and that increase of size of grain appears to be the best known cause for 
facilitating the uniform ignition of the whole charge, and thus preventing 
those wave pressures which occur with smaller-grain powder, and which are 
so very detrimental to the projectiles and powder-chambers of the guns. 
Other things being equal, the larger the grains that can be used, the larger 
the charges which can be employed with advantage. 
It will be noticed also that, instead of the year closing, as did 1871, with 
low velocities, the difficulty is now to keep down the velocity. The beginning 
of 1873 shows no alteration in this respect, as the following new year’s gift 
will prove:— 
Stoving. 
Density. 
Moisture. 
Pebbles 
Experiment. 
M. Y. 
Pressures. 
to 1 lb. 
Date. 
No. 
A. 
B. 
C. 
CO 
T—1 
1-7S1 
1-2 
72 
9. 7. 73 
219 
1530 
22-4 
22-4 
21-3 
Colonel Younghusband tried some experiments in order, if possible,, to 
bring down the velocity, without leaving an undue amount of moisture in the 
powder. The first means of doing so that naturally occurs to a powder-maker 
is to dispense, to some extent, with the most important of all the operations 
—namely, milling. Tour samples of shorter-milled powder ivere accordingly 
made in different mills and under different circumstances. 
They were made from the charcoal then in use, pressed as usual 15 ins., 
and dried 36 hours at 135° Fall. The following is the result of proof:— 
Stoving. 
Density. 
Moisture. 
Pebbles 
to 1 lb. 
Experiment. 
M. V. 
Pressures. 
Date. 
No. 
A. 
B. 
C. 
3. 1. 73 A. 
1-771 
1-08 
70 
9. 1. 73 
221 
1532 
24-6 
24-0 
22-8 
„ B. 
1-761 
1-05 
70 
II 
222 
1538 
25-4 
25-1 
22-9 
,/ C. 
1-768 
1-01 
76 
n 
223 
1538 
25-7 
26-0 
25-1 
// D. 
1-759 
1-05 
66 
II 
224 
1538 
24-3 
23-2 
21-6 
It will be observed that the density is low as compared with powder then 
manufactured, and also that the moisture shows the powder to be diy. 
The experiment was therefore repeated with powder pressed rather more— 
15J ins.—and dried 36 hours at 125° Fah.:—■ 
Stoving. 
Density. 
Moisture. 
Pebbles 
to 1 lb. 
Experiment. 
M.Y. 
Pressures. 
Date. 
| No. 
A. 
B. 
C. 
25. 1.-73 A, 
1-782 
1-08 
72 
3. 2. 73 
267 
1520 
21-6 
21-6 
20-0 
« Bj 
1-777 
104 
72 
n 
268 
1535 
21-8 
21-6 
20-2 
a Cj 
1-789 
•95 
74 
n 
269 
1535 
23-3 
22-4 
21-1 
« D, 
1-786 
•9 
72 
a 
273 
1541 
22-1 
22-3 
20-4 
