Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-11-10
EXPLOSIVE COTTON.

Some time since we gave Drlei holice VI 'he
wonderful chemical discovery in Germany,
which was destined 10 produce complete revo-
luton in the materiel OF military offence and de-
fence We stated that il held out new held Tor
the consumption Of our important Southern staple,
ami that we should rejoice over this fruit Of exPe-
rimental chemistry, not orly as great triumph
Of science, bu, as a permanent source Of benefit
TO the United States. Ii is true some have view
ed the matter with dislrust-- the fcliHcton OF
the Journal des Debats suspects some quackcry al
the bottom Of il. ltsays:
1.-THE discovery attributed 10 M. Schoenben Is
given 10 the world in The singular manner and
under circumstances lille calculated 10 inspire
confidence. The wonders Of the cotlon-powder
are detailed in The style of newspaper reporter,
and its properties are represented rs mol only no.
vel. bu, Inconsistent with one another. II is wor-
lhy of remark, that Nj. Schoenbein exhibits his
experiments 10 persons who are wholly Ignorant
of science, and that he carefully avoids any de-
monstration TO those who are capable OF forming
an opinion of the merits OF his discovery"
Bu, The following letter in the Union is calcu-
lated to remove all doubt as 10 The truth OF the re-
markable phenomena. Unless We mistake the
earmarks, It's from the pen Of the enlightened and
heightened gentleman whose letters from Germa-
nv, under the nom de plume OF "Agricola," en-
riched our columns not long since. We there
fore nut full confidence in what lie writes as hav-
ing occurred under his own eyes. The Union
says that the first step has already heen taken TO
secure a palenl-right at Washington:
INTERESTING LETTER.
Cotton 10 take The place Of Gunpomder- The Po-
tato D,scasc-Ihe Iran Ir0alc.
Correspondence of the Union.l
FRANKFORT oN.THE-MAiNE,
September 30, 1916.
Dear Sir-One ofthe most wonderful scientific
discoveries of modern times has been exploited
here and al Basic, in Switzerland, within The last
lew weeks Professors Balger OF The former
place, and Schonben OF The latter, simultaneous
", by a similar course Of experimenting, have
invented method of preparing roto cotton which
will undoubtedly eventuaie in the dsconnuance
of The use OF sunp9wder! The article which
they prepare has been unlimited 10 many severe
ordeas and lis vast superiority for all explosive
purposes over gunpowder, is acknowledged by
The first chemists and military officers in Gerna-
n.y. can scarcely believe my own senses when
| witness an exhibition OF its extraordinary pro-
peries.
Upon my arrival in this city was invited by
a friend, distinguished member OF the German
Diet 10 dine with him, and, no, declining his
hospitality, met with and was presented to Pro-
lessor Baltgcr, who i, is bul proper 70 remark IS
distinguished lot his aliainmenls, and has charge
of The public laboratory as a chemical ectnrer-
Before the separation OF the party, Professor +.
took from each of his waislcoal pockets paper
containing some raw cotton; small portion OF
that which was in one he placed upon sheet ut
white paper, and near II some gunpowder upon
another sheet de touched them 1.-THE same mo-
ment with the burning end of cigar, and with
the auickness of the ligh,nings blast, The cotton
was consumed without smoke or odor or ashes,
or even the slightest stain upon the SnoW-Nhite
shee, of oolscap; while The ignition oi the gun
powder seemed 10 be slow, although OF the best
quality, by which The paper was burned and color
ed and the room filled with smoke. lie then took
small quantity of gunpowder and placing II
upon paper, entirely covered il with prepared
cotton from the other paper. Touching the cot
ton with the blaze of match, il exploded without
burning the guupowder Subsequently, at my
apartments, he exploded cotton upon the palm OF
nv hand. without nv feeling the sensation OF
heat, such was the remarkable rapidly of lis ig-
hitting.
A Short time il i. stated by the inventor is on
" REQUIRED Tor the preparation OF the article, and
the process is SO exceedingly simple that II can be
manufactured by common ldooteiS, anu without
any danger of combustion. II can De nj for use
in lew hours after the cotton is taken from The
bale, and withou, the aid of machinery; and it
NAV be thoroughly saturated with wafer without
affecting its properties injuriously. As soon as
re-dried, it is again fit for use. There is nothing
TO apprehend 10 it from its spontaneous combus-
lion, nor will ignite by friction in its ransporia-
ton, or in the loading Of firearms, or become in
famed under temperature Of 200 degrees, Gle
sius. 1t will catch FIRE, either from blaze or
spark.
periments, that the torty-e'ghM part OF an ounce
of the prepared cotton will propel bullet from
an American rifle as far and as fast as the ticelfh
part OF an ounce OF gunpowder. The sixteenth
par, of an ounce will drive three-qnar'er ounce
bali a distance of sixteen hundred PAGES! More
over, the barrel never requires cleaning. Forty
shots wilhou, intermssion have been made, and
without any perciptible accumulation OF filth,
while the gun was throughout entirely free from
heat. In firing a ee-pounder, the result was
the same in this respect. The experiments in
blasting rocks with prepared cotton have also
been eminenlly successful. AT Basic large
block Of granite, measuring 2i0 cubic feet was
blown up BY four ounces, which could not have
been effected with less than two pounds OF superior
gunpowder.
Last week the power Of the article was tested