192 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
These results are obtained for small shafts by arranging 
several, generally from four to twelve shots, so that they will 
slope from the corners, to the center of the shaft. They are 
usually placed about a foot from the corners, the degree of 
slope depending largely upon the dimensions of the shaft and 
also upon the hardness and structure of the rock. Nearly all 
of the shots are ‘‘squibbed’’ ; that is, the end of the drill hole 
is enlarged by discharging a stick of powder in it. The 
process of squibbing is identical with that of blasting, and 
varies only in the amount of powder used. In some cases 
only half a stick of powder is used and in others even two and 
three sticks are necessary. Holes are squibbed to furnish a 
receptacle for the charge which is to follow and accomplish 
the desired work. Squibbing consists in placing a small 
charge in a hole, not sufficient, however, to blow out the rock 
mass, but simply to crack and fissure the rocks, even powder- 
ing it for a few inches or so about the end of the drill hole. 
If there is much water in the mine the drill hole may rapidly 
fill; such being the case, a sand pump, or gun, is used to re- 
move the water and ground up rock; if the hole is dry, a 
spoon is employed to scrape the hole clean. (For illustra- 
tion of these two pieces of apparatus, see figure 24.) After 
firing the charges thus arranged, a large cavity will be formed 
in the center of the floor of the shaft. Charges are then 
placed from six inches to a foot from the corners and the 
same distance from the walls along the sides, on the bottom 
of the shaft. These charges when fired will loosen and tear 
out the rock to the level of the cavity formed by the first set of 
shots, and will so loosen the rock on the sides and corners of 
the shafts as to render it easy to square up to the proper size 
with pick and bar. As will be seen from the above, the 
charges are so placed that the material which is to be removed 
will lie within the line of least resistance to the action 
of the charge, thus causing it to be broken up easily. The 
first set of charges are placed close together in order that they 
may act synchronously. The holes are fairly long and slant 
towards the center of the shaft, so that when charged and 
tamped the line of least resistance will not be back along the 
hole, but vertical ; thus the center is removed, which will free 
