The New York herald., 1869-06-27
FIREWORKS.

seasOn-A Peep af Processes.
The American demand for fireworks has long since
become proverb, for whereas displays IN European
cities are merely spasmodic and incidental In this
country the trade and manufacture ls one OF cOnsid
erable regularity. No sooner has the spread-ea ageIsm
Of oratory and peteoric display incident TO the
Fourth of July been boed into the great waste box
Of the past than manufacture begins again, and the
whole year is devoted to the production of another
seasons supply There Is considerable shipping
trade also later in the season, beginning with the
month OF August, though the anniversary or old
'Seventysix the basis for the heaviest demand Of
the year. II is true that the consumption OF fire.
works in the United States Is greater than that Of
the rest of the world combined It is also true
that in the manufacture OF the article American
artisans cxcel. Ten years since the idea OF keeping
fireworks on hand like any other manufactured stock
would have been regarded as impracticable, and is
now soregarded IN most European cities. In France,
fer srinstance displays are only manufactured TO order
and are not expected to be sufficiently indestrucbe
70 admit OF storage distant shipment, ana cases
have happened very recently in which the manufac-
ture Of the Paris laboratory would not endure even
q days storage. In fact not long since the whole
display provided and arranged for fete evening
exploded In the afternoon. disappointing Paris Of the
expected illumination.
the manufacture OF the article for storage ship
ment three things had to be guarded against First
there was the danger OF spontaneous combustion or
explosion, which might result in terrible casualties
Secondly, the combination OF the materials must be
made sufficiently permanent and non-aterable
scientifically to be kept for given length OF time
without losing the capability Of ignition. The
third provision TO be made was to insure the manufac
tured against explosion rrom the ordinary jolting OF
shipment and other handling These three destdeata
hv mario
manufacturers, though Europeans, having less occa-
sion have not as yet copied their example. The
means OF attaining this result are secrets Of the
laboratory which the manufacturer guards with
jealous care though il is rather to be regretted for
the sake of progress, that a system OF taking out
patents has not been adopted thus giving publicity
10 every fresh discovery looking to this end, and at
the same time, securing to the originator the practi
cal proprietorship OF his own Idea. The adoption
of this system would give healthy i'm pulse to in
venton in this direction leading, doubt, to more
satisfactory results than have yet been produced
Tor the explosion Of fireworks (spontaneous), even
IN this country, Is by no means an uncommon occur
renee, and for the past three years even, casual
ties OF serious nature have occasionally hap
pened. The composition of their colored
fires is another secret which the manufacturers
keep jealous sentinel refusing TO divuge for the
nothing can be said. Those who are curious in the
matter can find general details in volumes devoted
TO tine subject, which, however are in their nature
mere textbooks OF European manufacture, and not
altogether applicable to the processes OF tn abora-
tory in this country where the art has been carried
10 q greater degree OF perfection. In Europe the
whole system OF coorng is effected by combining
with the meal powder, which forms the basis GER
tam other ingredients upon which the color is ade
to depend and here, though there is an absence OF
positive data, the same principles no doubt apply,
however improved in their application or modified
IN the form thereof Otherwise the process OF manu-
facture Is exceedingly simple, but may be let for
after discussion and description.
or late years the celebration OF the Fourth OF July
has been attended with less military and official
display than formerly. This since the beginning Of
the war has been particularly the case for the
SON. no doubt, that the great events OF the past ten
years have In a measure superseded the Revolu-
tonary era in the public mind During the war the
Fourth OF July was exceedingly subordnated In i'm
portancs to the current OF passing events, though
Tor the celebration OF victories the demand for fire.
works was rendered more uniform than 1t
formerly had been. The Southern demand,
Northern, had fallen OF. The Western de-
mand was comparatively Insignificant, though
now It Is heavier than the Eastern, and IN 1850 man.
ufacturers found the market more limited than IL
had been for many years The Southern demand is
now recuperating. The use OF fireworks on special
occasions IN the Eastern and Middle States has
trpled In ten years, and IN the West the consump-
ton Is enormous.
THE PROSPECT FOR THE SEASON
Is, therefore, nattering one 10 manufacturers,
though must be owned that the trade this year did
not begin as early as was anticipated. orders were
not brisk even as late June 10, whereas dealers
generally count upon business early as the first
OF the month. The importation Of crackers has been
heavier this year than ever before being estimated
at l50 900 boxes but on account Of exceeding COM
petition the trade has been mostly losing one. and
crackers have been shipped at figure less than ln-
porters' prices. The Union torpedo-a dangerous
thing. by the way-has stood next to crackers IN
popularity though ITS popularity has been quite
deserved, since, aside from some risk to sponta-
Deus combustion, owing 10 the nying OF the clay in
minute fragments, the firing on Is attended with
danger OF mutilatiOn. The price OF these torpedoes
Is about the same as that Of crackers, and ranges
from fifty 70 sixty cents thousand. During the
year less than $50 600 OF the former have been
manufactured, and during this trade season orders
for 200, 900 at time have been filed. Several other
kinds OF torpedoes, less dangerous and equally
10 say, orders for the latter have been
quite limited. Next to crackers and tor
pedoes the most popular articles In q small way
are Roman candles and skyrockets which are Of all
sorts and OF every species or complication to suit
the pockets OF buyers The tripod rocket, though
more conveniently shipped receives fewer orders
than It's non-improved and od-fashoned predeces-
sor IN the market Comets are not over.
Neither are tourbillons. Neither are bomb
Shells Neither are pulling crackers. PIN wheels
are popular. SO are scroll wheels. so are vertical
wheels. SO are grasshoppers.
Then there are the other small pieces as triangles
caprices colored fires, Saxons. rain fires. flying
pigeons, serpents, rosettes, flower pots blue lights,
Bengola lights, mines volcanoes batteries stars aud
Moral shells, all OF which ordered In small lots
DuI take no leaulnR part IN tEe trade. Inc new me-
teOr candle Is having only emulated by the tri-
Solored Union candle indebted for its popularity
Its name. Radiators japanese scintllettes, sponge
lettes, colored pyramids, magic cigar lighters.
MODtgolner balloons and a few other small pieces
belong also 70 the repertoire OF Young America and
being inexpensive, meet with a corresponding de-
mand.
DIP INTO NOMENCLATURE
There is no parallellng IN romance the nomencla.
ture Of the Fire Imp. name Il everything. A
hgn-soundlnR name Is something more than every
Lhing-espeelaliy IN a catalogue OF fireworks for
country circulation. Saxonette means nothing, but
sounds as II II did. Silver glory IL grand. Prismatc
wheel sounds scientific. Pearl fountain IL a three
volume romance In itself. Washington Illuminated
is original, and originality Is American Instinct
Masonic Jewel, morning glory, transparent star,
contra dance comets froIc, Illuminated
shield, gypsy dance, peacocks feathers polka
dance. 1refy DART rising sun, spiral wheel and fOun-
tam, tree OF liberty and all that. What are they
COMPARED with one demons retreat exploded 10
ORDER with hundred little demons let loose with a
single miniature clan OF thundery A figbt Uf tne