To handle blasting quicksilver with less danger mix it with potash, but the more potash is mixed with the more power it loses. Both the quicksilver and potash must be warm in order to mix. Therefore it must be carefully watched. But the mixing vessel in warm water and control the temperature with a thermometer. The product in this case is of better quality, but also more expensive.
Amateurs start with small quantities.
Blasting quicksilver requires no guncotton cap to explode it. A fuse or tinder directed into the blasting quicksilver will set it off. Blasting quicksilver is preferred to dynamite of this account. Bombs loaded with this explosive will go off without any fuse. The mere throwing of it is sufficient to set it off.