Volume 11 (1865) (424 pages)

388 Ghe Bining antl Scientific Press, SALES OF THE WEEK BY THE 8. F. 8TOOK & EXOHANGE BOARD, Monday, December 18. 27 shs Chollar-Potosl at 118@118 per ft, 3 shs Chollar-Potosi at 118@118 per foot. sbs Chollar-Potosl at 117@115 per ft, s 6. shs Chollar-Potosl at Hog BERT p10. shs Chollar-Potosl at 115 per foot, 8 10. shs Alpha, O. H., at 200@265 per foot. 4shs Crown Polnt at 415 per foot, b 5. shs Crown Point at 410 per foot. 19sbs Yellow Jacket at 360@420 per foot. sh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, b 30. sb mellow 2 Ca a per faoh &. x sb Yellow Jacket a per foot, 385@4100 per ft, $30. ee Bea. Pe] see = a n 8 < & o 5 es ® 4 & s @ 5 2 S a4 © s hir at r = 7shs Belcher at 140 per foot, 53. 14 shs Confidence at 25@18 per share.» 6slis Imperial at 100 per share, § 3. 20 shs linperlal at 105@97 per sh, 330. 76 shs Lmperial at 10) @105 per share. 30 shs Imperial at 102@100 per share, 3 10. shs Imperial at 100 per share, s 8. shs ermine Ml & Mining Co. at 18234. shs Bullion at \2 per share. shs Overman at 30@29 per foot. shs Cal S Nay Co at 69 per cent. AFTEENOON SESSION. shs Oould & Curry at 897:4@900 per foot sha Savage at 850@885 per toot, s 30. sbs Savage at 86@876 per foot, shsSavage at 890 per foot, s 3. shs Savage at 895@890 per foot, b 10. shs Crown Point at 410 per foot, shs Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, s 30. sh Yellow Jacket at 425 per foot, b 30. sb Yellow Jacket at 415 per foot. sh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, 33. shs Yellow Jacket at 400 per toot, 5 5. 15shs Alpha, O. H., at 180@195 per foot. 8shs Alpha, G. H., at 190@19233 per ft, b 3. 2shs Belcher at Rol per fout. 62shs Chollar-Potosl at 115@114 per foot. shs ChollarPotosi at 115 per toot, b 10, shs Chollar-Potosl at 115 per Foot, b 5. 40shs Cbollar-Potosl nt 116 per foot, b 3. shs Chollar Potosi at 116 per toot, 55 shs CnollarPotosi at 115 per fout, a 30. 58 shs Imperlal at 92@95 per share. 25 shs Imperlal at 92/4@95 per share, s 30. 5shs lmperin} at 96 per share, s 5, mperlal at 96 per share, h3. 45 shs Confidence nt 25@33 per share. 5 shs Overman at 30 per share, 8 30. 5shsg Bullion at 13 per share 5shs Ca Steam Nav Co at 59 per cent, 8 3. 5shs Wai Steam Nay Co nt 59 percent, 8 30. 5shs Cal Steam Navy Co at 60 per cent. Amount Of saleS....s0neseees $186,489 00 To Sy Tuesday, December 19, lsh Savage at 910 per foot. Ish Savage at 940 per loot, s 3. lshs Savage at per foot. lsh Savage at 1000 per fvot. Ish Savage at 1U.0per toot, 33. 4.shs Savage at 1020 per foot. 6 shs Savage at 1000 per toot, s 30, ish Savage at 1040 per foot, 3 3. 2shs Savage at 1040 per foot, casb. lsh Savage at 103u per foot. 7shs Savage at 97 per foot, 8 30. 2 slig Savage at 980 per foot. 1shs Savage at 1000 per foot, 30d. lsh Savage at 990 per foot, s 3. 2shs Savage at 1015 per foot, 83. ish Savage at 1010 per foot. 5 shs Savage at 1020@1025 per foot, 53 28 shs CholiarPotosi at 115 per toot. 5shs ChellarPotosi at 116 per foot, b 3. 2 shs Chotlar-Potosl at 115}4 per ft, cash. 5 shs Chollar-Potos} at 116! per foot, b 3. 5shs ChollarPotosi ut 115 per foot, 8 10. 14 shs Chollar-Potosi at 117 per loot. 6 shs Choliar.Potosl at 118 per foot, b 3. 1shs Yellow Jacket at 395 per foot. 4shs Yellow Jackot at 4u0 per Toor, 7shs Yellow Jacket at 380 per foot. s 30. lsh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, b 30. 5sbs Belcher at 145 per foot. lsh Alpha, G. H. at 18 per foot. lsb Alpha, G H, at 190 per foot. 2shs Alpha, G. H., at 190 per foot, 8 10. 3shs Alpha at 195 per foot. 6shs Alpha, G. H.,, at 195@200 per foot, b 3. 2shs Alpha, @ H, at 200 per foot. Isb Alpha, GH, at 200 per foot, b 10. 4sbs Crown Point at 42u per loot. 15 shs Crown Point at 42U per Toot, 5 3. 4shs Crown Point at 430 per foot, s 3. 8shs Oould & Curry at 950 ner foot, b 3. lsh Overman at 33 per foot, 15 shs Overman at 35 per foot. 5 shs De Soto at 54; per share.. 10 shs Buillon at 1444 per shire. 5 shs Bullion at 18 per share. . 27shs Bullion at 19 ner share. 15 sts Imperial at 95 per share, 6 shs Imperial at 9% per share. 5 ahs Imperial at 95 per share, b 10. 5shs Empire M & M %o. nt 185 per sh, cash &5 ahs Emplre M & M Vo. at 185 per sb, 3 30. AFTERNOON SxsSION. “20 shs Crown Polnt at 425@426 per foot, 8 shs Crown Point at 440 per foot. 15s8hs Crown Point at 45U per Toot. 12 8shs Crown Point at 455 per foot. pha, G. H. 4shs Alpha, G H, at 20734 per foot. shs Savage at 1000@975 per foot, 515, sb Savage at 1000 per foot, cash. shs Savage at 975@9o0 per foot, 83. sh Savage at 970 per loot, s 10. shs avage 1975 per foot. shs Snvage at 965 per foot, b 3. shs Savage at 960 perfoo. shs Hale & Norcross at 95 per foot, 8 3. shs Hale & Norcross at 100 per foot. sh Hale & Norcross at 105 per foot. shg Chollar-Potosl at 118 per foot, s 10. shs Yellow Jacket at 395 por foot, b 3. sb Yellow Jacket at 385 per foot. s 10. sbs Yellow Jacket at 380@385 per ft, s 30. sh Yetlow Jacket at 390 per toot, b5. ghs Yeliow Jacket at 400 per toot, b3. 50 100 per share, 35 shs Imperial at 98@673¢ per share, b $0. 10 sbs Imperlal at 99 per share. 10 shs Sierra Nevada ut3 por share. shs Confidence at Zl per share, 53. shs Confidence at 19g per share. 10shs Confidence at 19 per sbare. Amount Of sales...,.+-+00+++.$172,332 00 Wedaceday, December 20, 2shsCrown Polnt at 440 per foot. 8 shs Crown Point at 430 per share. 12 shs Crown Point at 440 per foot, s 30. 4 shs Crown Point at 455 per Toot. 15 shs Crown Polnt at 460 per toot, s 8. 4 sbs Crown Point at 47U per foot. 1Zshs Alpbaat 210 per share. 8 sbs Alpha, G. H., at 205@195 per foot. 44sbs Alpha, G. H. at 19@4W per ft. 8shs Alpba, G. H., at 200 per root, cash. 4shs Alpha, O. H., at 210 per It, b 30. 15shs Gould & Curry at 950 per foot. sh Savaye at 935@930 per foot. _ cs = & e < so bor o Pp ge shs Savaye at 895@905 per foot. s&h Savaye at 900 per toot, a 30. shs Yellow Jacket at 385 per sbare, s 30, 5 shs Yellow Jacket at 410 per foot. 3shs Yellow Jacket at 390 per foot, s 30. 2shs Yellow Jacket at 405@395 per ft, 330. 6 shs Beleber at 145 per fout, s 30. shi at 150 per lout. shs Chollar-Potosl at 12732 per foot, 8 10, shs Chotlar-Potosi at 135 per foot, b 10. shs Chollar-Potosl at 135 per toot, 12 shs Ophir at 350 per foot. 5shs lmperiai at 9734 per share. 5 shs loperlal at 99 per share. =e THE NEW BLASTING AGENCY. NOBEL’S PATENT BLASTING. OIL (Nitro-Glycerine.). (Extracts from a work now in Press ja the‘ Mining and Scientific Press’? Job Offee—by permissioa of the Publishers, Messrs. Bandman & Nielsou, Sole Agents for the Pacific Coast, No. 210 Front street, San Francisco.] ‘ Nirro-Giycerine, and its enormous power, bave been known to Chemists for nearly 20 years. Its practical use, bowever, was thought impossible, because a spark produces no explosion at all, and the blow of a hammer only a local detonation. Moreover, the method of preparation known was found to be highly dangerous, and several serious accidents have occurred. At present, the use of of Blasting Oil is perfectly practicable, and is rapidly supplanting Gunpowder in many Countries. In Sweden, where it was first introduced, a Company was constituted n November, 1864, for working the invention; the sale of NitroGlycerine hy this Company hegan the 16th of Fehruary, 1865; and, from that date up to the 26tb of August, 1865, 22,217 Ibs. were sold— a quantity equivalent in its hlasting effect to at least 222,170 Ibs., or very nearly one-half of the whole of Gunpowder consumed in Sweden during tbat time. In Norway, anotber Company bas lately been constituted for tbe same purpose. : In Germany and Belgium, where the invention bas been but lately introduced, it is spreading very rapidly. In France, where Gunpowder is a monopoly of the Government, the Emperor bas appointed a special commission for investigating the merits of the invention. . In England, it bas met with the highest approhation, as will be seen by the Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. 2 Nothing, bowever, is so conclusive as a single discharge. Tbe power of the Blasting Oil is so enormous that it at once removes all doubts. In point of economy, dead weight cannot be taken as standard: 1 Ib. Blasting Oil does the work of 10 lbs. of Gunpowder. This, bowever, would be but a trifling economy, and the rapid revolution which Nitro-Glycerino is effecting in hlasting operations is chiefly owing to a great economy in labor, since the same power can be lodged in fewer holes, and of less diameter. The Properties of the Patent Blasting Oil Are: 1st.—It is a light yellow oily liquid. 2nd.—Its specific weight is 1.6. 3rd.—It is msoluble in water. 4th.—It cannot explode by simple contact with fire. On applying a a lucifer match, for instance, the Oil decomposes without explosion, and on removing the burning medium, the fire extinguisbes. 5th.—The explosion can only take place under particular circumstances, as mentioned below. 6tb.—The combustion of the Oil is complete, and leaves no residue. 7th.—Its explosion is much quicker than that of Gunpowder. 8th.—It can he stored for an indefinite time, without loss in weight or quality. At the ordinary temperature, neither phosphorus nor tbe metal potassium has any effect upon it. 9th.—It is a perfectly fixed Oil, without a trace of evaporation. 10tb.—It detonates when struck with a hammer, but the explosion is only local, and reaches no further than the surface of the hammer. <A few drops, distributed upon an anvil, produce, by various blows a corresponding number of detonations. 11tb.—It can safely bear 212° of heat (Fahrenheit), but it explodes at about 360°, 12tb.—It is poisonous, and should not he hrought in contact with tbe lips—a severe headache of a few bours’ duration ensuing, Theoretic Investigation of the Patent Blasting Oil as an Explosive Agent, in order to account for its superiority over Gunpowder. . The effect of every explosion is owing partly to the pressure of the gas developed, partly to the rapidity with-which the explosion takes place. The latter is a very important point, particularly in fissured rocks. On comparing Blasting Oil to Gunpowder we have to consider: The expansion of gas. The development of beat. The rapidity of explosion. 1. THE EXPANSION OF GAS. * Of gunpowder, according to theory, only 50 per cent. is converted into gas, one volume giving 260 volumes of cold gas, deduction heing made of the expansion produced by heat (Regnault). Practically, however the combustion is never so complete, and 200 volumes of cold gas are therefore in all probability ahove the real average result. The chemical formula of the Blasting Oil is: Cé H* 03 (NO5)5 containing 0.18 Absorbed hy the combustion are: by Cs—O12 by H#=02 —Onue Hence its complete combustion leaves a surplus of : 0.1 Each 100 parts of exploded Blasting Oil leaves a residue of: 20. water, 58. carbonic acid, 3.5 oxygen, 18.5: nitrogen. 100 Hence, as the specific weigbt of tbe Blasting Oil is 1.6, one volume produces: 554 volumes of steam, 469 do. ‘ carhonic acid, 39 do oxygen, 236 do. “ nitrogen. 1298 volumes. 4, 2. THE EXPANSION BY HEAT. It is difficult to’determine the degree of beat produced by an exploding substance. According to theory, however, the Blasting Oil, on account of its complete combustion, ought to develop a more intense heat than Gunpowder. Practically this appears from the more intensive light of the flame of gunpowder, when such is mixed with a small quantity of Nitro-Glycerine. It may therefore be pretty safely assumed that the heat developed hy the explosion of NitroGlycerine is twice tbat generated by Gunpowder. Consequently : If a volume of powder gives 200 volumes of cold gas, expanded by beat 4 times—800, 1,300 volumes cold Nitro-Glycerine gas, expanded by heat 8 times produce 10,400 volumes, So tbat Nitro-Glycerine compared with Gunpowder possesses : About 13 times its power when volumes are compared, and 8 times its power for equal weight, the specific gravity of Gunpowder being taken at 1.0. 3. THE RAPIDITY OF EXPLOSION. Practically, the effect of the Nitro-Glycerine in most cases surpasses the ahove figures, owing to its great quickness of explosion; this point, however, from want of a standard, cannot he solved by theory. ¥ © The Chief Advantages of Patent Blasting Oil. 1st.—A great Economy in labor for Boring,—its bulk being very small, as compared to its power. The great specific gravity, the entire consumption and tbe extraordinary rapidity of the explosion of the Patent Blasting Oil, constitutes it the most powerful of all known blasting agencies.In the present state of blasting operatious, the boring of the holes is far more expensive than the Gunpowder itself—the relative cost, in hard rocks, being no less than 20 and even 380 to I. concentration of power of the Oil, and consequent economy in boring, is a matter of the highest importance. One pound of the Patent Blasting Oil bas the same effect of at least 10 lhs. of blasting powder. The first requires hut one borehole, whereas for the powder about 10 boles of the same dimensions will be required, Thus, in open blastings, j If the dislocating of a certain quantity of rock requires: 100 feet 1% in. boring in middling hard rock, if 3 men at $34 per day mare 5 feet, WOuIG COSt...-. secre eeens $219 0 25 tbs. powder.... os sietgieleres -ts./3 ce Soancnu0 6 00—$216 00 It is done with Nitro-Glycerine at the expense of . 10 feet 14 in. boring as above..-...e.eeeeeeeeeee ees, 200 2k ths. Blasting Oil...... C00 Oo EE Or MRO ono 6.00-— $27 00 Leaving a profit in favor of the Blasting Oil of.........see $189 00 Where the rocks are very hard, and the boring more expensive, a still greater economy results from tbe use of the Oil; but on the otber hand, as large quantities of rocks are dislocated hy each shot with Nitro-Glycerine, heavy blocks are frequently obtained, and allowance sbould be made for their furtber blasting. It is perfectly practicahle in Mines to bave boles of §-in. diameter bored for “Nitro-Glycerine, exactly where bores of 13-in. diameter for Gunpowder would be placed, and to charge witb no more than 1 cub. in. of Nitro-Glycerine. : Moreover, the time occupied for bard tamping is saved, and it will be found that Nitro-Glycerine always blasts to the bottom of the hole, which Gunpowder does not. Cartridges must he used in badly-ventilated Mines, to preveut any escape of unexploded Nitro-Glycerine, it being injurious to bealth. 2nd.—The rapid progress of blasting operations, which is of tbe greatest importance, especially for Mines and Railway tunnels, All Blastings may be performed with the Oil at least as quick again as with Gunpowder. 8rd.—The combustion of the Oil ts complete and leaves no residue,— hence the Ore, not being blackened hy smoke, is easily traced, and in Salt Mines there is no refuse, Hence, the greater °

388 Ghe Bining antl Scientific Press, SALES OF THE WEEK BY THE 8. F. 8TOOK & EXOHANGE BOARD, Monday, December 18. 27 shs Chollar-Potosl at 118@118 per ft, 3 shs Chollar-Potosi at 118@118 per foot. sbs Chollar-Potosl at 117@115 per ft, s 6. shs Chollar-Potosl at Hog BERT p10. shs Chollar-Potosl at 115 per foot, 8 10. shs Alpha, O. H., at 200@265 per foot. 4shs Crown Polnt at 415 per foot, b 5. shs Crown Point at 410 per foot. 19sbs Yellow Jacket at 360@420 per foot. sh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, b 30. sb mellow 2 Ca a per faoh &. x sb Yellow Jacket a per foot, 385@4100 per ft, $30. ee Bea. Pe] see = a n 8 < & o 5 es ® 4 & s @ 5 2 S a4 © s hir at r = 7shs Belcher at 140 per foot, 53. 14 shs Confidence at 25@18 per share.» 6slis Imperial at 100 per share, § 3. 20 shs linperlal at 105@97 per sh, 330. 76 shs Lmperial at 10) @105 per share. 30 shs Imperial at 102@100 per share, 3 10. shs Imperial at 100 per share, s 8. shs ermine Ml & Mining Co. at 18234. shs Bullion at \2 per share. shs Overman at 30@29 per foot. shs Cal S Nay Co at 69 per cent. AFTEENOON SESSION. shs Oould & Curry at 897:4@900 per foot sha Savage at 850@885 per toot, s 30. sbs Savage at 86@876 per foot, shsSavage at 890 per foot, s 3. shs Savage at 895@890 per foot, b 10. shs Crown Point at 410 per foot, shs Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, s 30. sh Yellow Jacket at 425 per foot, b 30. sb Yellow Jacket at 415 per foot. sh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, 33. shs Yellow Jacket at 400 per toot, 5 5. 15shs Alpha, O. H., at 180@195 per foot. 8shs Alpha, G. H., at 190@19233 per ft, b 3. 2shs Belcher at Rol per fout. 62shs Chollar-Potosl at 115@114 per foot. shs ChollarPotosi at 115 per toot, b 10, shs Chollar-Potosl at 115 per Foot, b 5. 40shs Cbollar-Potosl nt 116 per foot, b 3. shs Chollar Potosi at 116 per toot, 55 shs CnollarPotosi at 115 per fout, a 30. 58 shs Imperlal at 92@95 per share. 25 shs Imperlal at 92/4@95 per share, s 30. 5shs lmperin} at 96 per share, s 5, mperlal at 96 per share, h3. 45 shs Confidence nt 25@33 per share. 5 shs Overman at 30 per share, 8 30. 5shsg Bullion at 13 per share 5shs Ca Steam Nav Co at 59 per cent, 8 3. 5shs Wai Steam Nay Co nt 59 percent, 8 30. 5shs Cal Steam Navy Co at 60 per cent. Amount Of saleS.......s0neseees $186,489 00 To Sy Tuesday, December 19, lsh Savage at 910 per foot. Ish Savage at 940 per loot, s 3. lshs Savage at per foot. lsh Savage at 1000 per fvot. Ish Savage at 1U.0per toot, 33. 4.shs Savage at 1020 per foot. 6 shs Savage at 1000 per toot, s 30, ish Savage at 1040 per foot, 3 3. 2shs Savage at 1040 per foot, casb. lsh Savage at 103u per foot. 7shs Savage at 97 per foot, 8 30. 2 slig Savage at 980 per foot. 1shs Savage at 1000 per foot, 30d. lsh Savage at 990 per foot, s 3. 2shs Savage at 1015 per foot, 83. ish Savage at 1010 per foot. 5 shs Savage at 1020@1025 per foot, 53 28 shs CholiarPotosi at 115 per toot. 5shs ChellarPotosi at 116 per foot, b 3. 2 shs Chotlar-Potosl at 115}4 per ft, cash. 5 shs Chollar-Potos} at 116! per foot, b 3. 5shs ChollarPotosi ut 115 per foot, 8 10. 14 shs Chollar-Potosi at 117 per loot. 6 shs Choliar.Potosl at 118 per foot, b 3. 1shs Yellow Jacket at 395 per foot. 4shs Yellow Jackot at 4u0 per Toor, 7shs Yellow Jacket at 380 per foot. s 30. lsh Yellow Jacket at 400 per foot, b 30. 5sbs Belcher at 145 per foot. lsh Alpha, G. H. at 18 per foot. lsb Alpha, G H, at 190 per foot. 2shs Alpha, G. H., at 190 per foot, 8 10. 3shs Alpha at 195 per foot. 6shs Alpha, G. H.,, at 195@200 per foot, b 3. 2shs Alpha, @ H, at 200 per foot. Isb Alpha, GH, at 200 per foot, b 10. 4sbs Crown Point at 42u per loot. 15 shs Crown Point at 42U per Toot, 5 3. 4shs Crown Point at 430 per foot, s 3. 8shs Oould & Curry at 950 ner foot, b 3. lsh Overman at 33 per foot, 15 shs Overman at 35 per foot. 5 shs De Soto at 54; per share... 10 shs Buillon at 1444 per shire. 5 shs Bullion at 18 per share. . 27shs Bullion at 19 ner share. 15 sts Imperial at 95 per share, 6 shs Imperial at 9% per share. 5 ahs Imperial at 95 per share, b 10. 5shs Empire M & M %o. nt 185 per sh, cash &5 ahs Emplre M & M Vo. at 185 per sb, 3 30. AFTERNOON SxsSION. “20 shs Crown Polnt at 425@426 per foot, 8 shs Crown Point at 440 per foot. 15s8hs Crown Point at 45U per Toot. 12 8shs Crown Point at 455 per foot. pha, G. H. 4shs Alpha, G H, at 20734 per foot. shs Savage at 1000@975 per foot, 515, sb Savage at 1000 per foot, cash. shs Savage at 975@9o0 per foot, 83. sh Savage at 970 per loot, s 10. shs avage 1975 per foot. shs Snvage at 965 per foot, b 3. shs Savage at 960 perfoo.. shs Hale & Norcross at 95 per foot, 8 3. shs Hale & Norcross at 100 per foot. sh Hale & Norcross at 105 per foot. shg Chollar-Potosl at 118 per foot, s 10. shs Yellow Jacket at 395 por foot, b 3. sb Yellow Jacket at 385 per foot. s 10. sbs Yellow Jacket at 380@385 per ft, s 30. sh Yetlow Jacket at 390 per toot, b5. ghs Yeliow Jacket at 400 per toot, b3. 50 100 per share, 35 shs Imperial at 98@673¢ per share, b $0. 10 sbs Imperlal at 99 per share. 10 shs Sierra Nevada ut3 por share. shs Confidence at Zl per share, 53. shs Confidence at 19g per share. 10shs Confidence at 19 per sbare. Amount Of sales.....,.+-+00+++.$172,332 00 Wedaceday, December 20, 2shsCrown Polnt at 440 per foot. 8 shs Crown Point at 430 per share. 12 shs Crown Point at 440 per foot, s 30. 4 shs Crown Point at 455 per Toot. 15 shs Crown Polnt at 460 per toot, s 8. 4 sbs Crown Point at 47U per foot. 1Zshs Alpbaat 210 per share. 8 sbs Alpha, G. H., at 205@195 per foot. 44sbs Alpha, G. H. at 19@4W per ft. 8shs Alpba, G. H., at 200 per root, cash. 4shs Alpha, O. H., at 210 per It, b 30. 15shs Gould & Curry at 950 per foot. sh Savaye at 935@930 per foot.

_ cs = & e < so bor o Pp ge shs Savaye at 895@905 per foot. s&h Savaye at 900 per toot, a 30. shs Yellow Jacket at 385 per sbare, s 30, 5 shs Yellow Jacket at 410 per foot. 3shs Yellow Jacket at 390 per foot, s 30. 2shs Yellow Jacket at 405@395 per ft, 330. 6 shs Beleber at 145 per fout, s 30. shi at 150 per lout. shs Chollar-Potosl at 12732 per foot, 8 10, shs Chotlar-Potosi at 135 per foot, b 10. shs Chollar-Potosl at 135 per toot, 12 shs Ophir at 350 per foot. 5shs lmperiai at 9734 per share. 5 shs loperlal at 99 per share. =e THE NEW BLASTING AGENCY. NOBEL’S PATENT BLASTING. OIL (Nitro-Glycerine.). (Extracts from a work now in Press ja the‘ Mining and Scientific Press’? Job Offee—by permissioa of the Publishers, Messrs. Bandman & Nielsou, Sole Agents for the Pacific Coast, No. 210 Front street, San Francisco.] ‘ Nirro-Giycerine, and its enormous power, bave been known to Chemists for nearly 20 years. Its practical use, bowever, was thought impossible, because a spark produces no explosion at all, and the blow of a hammer only a local detonation. Moreover, the method of preparation known was found to be highly dangerous, and several serious accidents have occurred. At present, the use of of Blasting Oil is perfectly practicable, and is rapidly supplanting Gunpowder in many Countries. In Sweden, where it was first introduced, a Company was constituted n November, 1864, for working the invention; the sale of NitroGlycerine hy this Company hegan the 16th of Fehruary, 1865; and, from that date up to the 26tb of August, 1865, 22,217 Ibs. were sold— a quantity equivalent in its hlasting effect to at least 222,170 Ibs., or very nearly one-half of the whole of Gunpowder consumed in Sweden during tbat time. In Norway, anotber Company bas lately been constituted for tbe same purpose. : In Germany and Belgium, where the invention bas been but lately introduced, it is spreading very rapidly. In France, where Gunpowder is a monopoly of the Government, the Emperor bas appointed a special commission for investigating the merits of the invention. . In England, it bas met with the highest approhation, as will be seen by the Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. 2 Nothing, bowever, is so conclusive as a single discharge. Tbe power of the Blasting Oil is so enormous that it at once removes all doubts. In point of economy, dead weight cannot be taken as standard: 1 Ib. Blasting Oil does the work of 10 lbs. of Gunpowder. This, bowever, would be but a trifling economy, and the rapid revolution which Nitro-Glycerino is effecting in hlasting operations is chiefly owing to a great economy in labor, since the same power can be lodged in fewer holes, and of less diameter. The Properties of the Patent Blasting Oil Are: 1st.—It is a light yellow oily liquid. 2nd.—Its specific weight is 1.6. 3rd.—It is msoluble in water. 4th.—It cannot explode by simple contact with fire. On applying a a lucifer match, for instance, the Oil decomposes without explosion, and on removing the burning medium, the fire extinguisbes. 5th.—The explosion can only take place under particular circumstances, as mentioned below. 6tb.—The combustion of the Oil is complete, and leaves no residue. 7th.—Its explosion is much quicker than that of Gunpowder. 8th.—It can he stored for an indefinite time, without loss in weight or quality. At the ordinary temperature, neither phosphorus nor tbe metal potassium has any effect upon it. 9th.—It is a perfectly fixed Oil, without a trace of evaporation. 10tb.—It detonates when struck with a hammer, but the explosion is only local, and reaches no further than the surface of the hammer. <A few drops, distributed upon an anvil, produce, by various blows a corresponding number of detonations. 11tb.—It can safely bear 212° of heat (Fahrenheit), but it explodes at about 360°, 12tb.—It is poisonous, and should not he hrought in contact with tbe lips—a severe headache of a few bours’ duration ensuing, Theoretic Investigation of the Patent Blasting Oil as an Explosive Agent, in order to account for its superiority over Gunpowder. . The effect of every explosion is owing partly to the pressure of the gas developed, partly to the rapidity with-which the explosion takes place. The latter is a very important point, particularly in fissured rocks. On comparing Blasting Oil to Gunpowder we have to consider: The expansion of gas. The development of beat. The rapidity of explosion. 1. THE EXPANSION OF GAS. * Of gunpowder, according to theory, only 50 per cent. is converted into gas, one volume giving 260 volumes of cold gas, deduction heing made of the expansion produced by heat (Regnault). Practically, however the combustion is never so complete, and 200 volumes of cold gas are therefore in all probability ahove the real average result. The chemical formula of the Blasting Oil is: Cé H* 03 (NO5)5 containing 0.18 Absorbed hy the combustion are: by Cs—O12 by H#=02 —Onue Hence its complete combustion leaves a surplus of : 0.1 Each 100 parts of exploded Blasting Oil leaves a residue of: 20. water, 58. carbonic acid, 3.5 oxygen, 18.5: nitrogen. 100 Hence, as the specific weigbt of tbe Blasting Oil is 1.6, one volume produces: 554 volumes of steam, 469 do. ‘ carhonic acid, 39 do oxygen, 236 do. “ nitrogen. 1298 volumes. 4, 2. THE EXPANSION BY HEAT. It is difficult to’determine the degree of beat produced by an exploding substance. According to theory, however, the Blasting Oil, on account of its complete combustion, ought to develop a more intense heat than Gunpowder. Practically this appears from the more intensive light of the flame of gunpowder, when such is mixed with a small quantity of Nitro-Glycerine. It may therefore be pretty safely assumed that the heat developed hy the explosion of NitroGlycerine is twice tbat generated by Gunpowder. Consequently : If a volume of powder gives 200 volumes of cold gas, expanded by beat 4 times—800, 1,300 volumes cold Nitro-Glycerine gas, expanded by heat 8 times produce 10,400 volumes, So tbat Nitro-Glycerine compared with Gunpowder possesses : About 13 times its power when volumes are compared, and 8 times its power for equal weight, the specific gravity of Gunpowder being taken at 1.0. 3. THE RAPIDITY OF EXPLOSION. Practically, the effect of the Nitro-Glycerine in most cases surpasses the ahove figures, owing to its great quickness of explosion; this point, however, from want of a standard, cannot he solved by theory. ¥ © The Chief Advantages of Patent Blasting Oil. 1st.—A great Economy in labor for Boring,—its bulk being very small, as compared to its power. The great specific gravity, the entire consumption and tbe extraordinary rapidity of the explosion of the Patent Blasting Oil, constitutes it the most powerful of all known blasting agencies.In the present state of blasting operatious, the boring of the holes is far more expensive than the Gunpowder itself—the relative cost, in hard rocks, being no less than 20 and even 380 to I. concentration of power of the Oil, and consequent economy in boring, is a matter of the highest importance. One pound of the Patent Blasting Oil bas the same effect of at least 10 lhs. of blasting powder. The first requires hut one borehole, whereas for the powder about 10 boles of the same dimensions will be required, Thus, in open blastings, j If the dislocating of a certain quantity of rock requires: 100 feet 1% in. boring in middling hard rock, if 3 men at $34 per day mare 5 feet, WOuIG COSt.....-. secre eeens $219 0 25 tbs. powder........ os sietgieleres -ts./3 ce Soancnu0 6 00—$216 00 It is done with Nitro-Glycerine at the expense of . 10 feet 14 in. boring as above...-.....e.eeeeeeeeeee ees, 200 2k ths. Blasting Oil........... C00 Oo EE Or MRO ono 6..00-— $27 00 Leaving a profit in favor of the Blasting Oil of.................see $189 00 Where the rocks are very hard, and the boring more expensive, a still greater economy results from tbe use of the Oil; but on the otber hand, as large quantities of rocks are dislocated hy each shot with Nitro-Glycerine, heavy blocks are frequently obtained, and allowance sbould be made for their furtber blasting. It is perfectly practicahle in Mines to bave boles of §-in. diameter bored for “Nitro-Glycerine, exactly where bores of 13-in. diameter for Gunpowder would be placed, and to charge witb no more than 1 cub. in. of Nitro-Glycerine. : Moreover, the time occupied for bard tamping is saved, and it will be found that Nitro-Glycerine always blasts to the bottom of the hole, which Gunpowder does not. Cartridges must he used in badly-ventilated Mines, to preveut any escape of unexploded Nitro-Glycerine, it being injurious to bealth. 2nd.—The rapid progress of blasting operations, which is of tbe greatest importance, especially for Mines and Railway tunnels, All Blastings may be performed with the Oil at least as quick again as with Gunpowder. 8rd.—The combustion of the Oil ts complete and leaves no residue,— hence the Ore, not being blackened hy smoke, is easily traced, and in Salt Mines there is no refuse, Hence, the greater °