Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-07-10
Fancy PyrsGechnics aud How They are
Made.


Very little gunpo owder is used nov in the
manufacture of fireworks, and where years
ago that explosive was really the only active
ingredient, to-day its proportion is scarcely
% per cent of the agencies employed to pro-
cure a clever device. Many fireworks are
manufactured from the same Ingredients as
gunpowder-nitrate of potash, flowers Of sui
phur and chArcoal-though in different pro-
portions and varying according TO the nature
of the explosion or combustion sought to be
produced. The more rapid the combustion
the more force is obtained and the grander
the effect.
In all grades of pyrotechnics of an artistic
character the composition is the same being
formed by the union OF such chemicals as will
give the brilliant and vari -colored lights. The
execution OF the designs is a matter Of conceit
entirely. The chemicals which thus cOnsti
tute the bases OF the finer works are strontia,
which give the rich red flame; nitrate and
ohlOrats of bAIium, to which one is indebted
for the magnificent green tint OF proper py
rOtachnio blaze; copper, which supplies the
blue, and sodium, the source of the yellow
tint. This combination of colors, by dexter
Gus manipulation, when ignited, unfods in
the night the scenes Of dazzling beauty that
enrapture the hOrdes to whom the word fire
works" is an Irresistible talisman. The eX-
charged with these chemical Ingredients is
derived from a supply of gunpowder regulat-
ed in quantity to suit the pyrotechnist's de-
sire, and prepared in the proportion Of 10
per cent. OF nitrate of potash, 10 per cent of
charcoal and 10 per cent, of sulphur. Little
is seon of AllsgOrical and descriptive sketches
such as ''ths Goddess of Liberty" Washing
ton on Horseback" and the like, except on
public occasions. They are too expensive
and too unwieldy for private use.
The rocket, above all other devices, ia the
most popular, not only because of the con-
yenienee with which il can be handled but
for the magnificent effect produced when,
mounting into the sky, it cracks into count
less stars, shedding grand etfulgenee across
the face OF the armament. There is always
grandeur in attitudes, and no one appreciates
this better than a pyrotechnist. recent
clever invention is an RsterOid rocket which,
upon reaching its greatest height, throws out
two balls of fire suspended from parachutes.
They float away in the breeze and change
cOlOrs while in motion.
The bOmbshel is the most effective Of all
the vaulting pieces, for the reason that it can
be projected TO a great height II is danger
ous to life aud limb unless in skillful hands.
as was instanced in the Park disaster referred
The principle is precisely the same az in the
military shell, the casting being made OF pa
per instead OF heavy metal. Two hollow hemi-
spheres are charged with innumerable eonieal-
shaped stars made from compressed coloring
matter, and when the halves are joined togeth-
or aud pAper-sealsd they are thrown from a
mortar Unless the stars are very carefully
arranged they are apt to dstOnAte by the force
of the powder exploded in the mortar. The
distance to be travelled by shell before the
stars shall break is regulated with fuse run
ming four, i've, ten, fifteen or twenty seconds.
This fuse, which IN 8 necessary adjunct TO all
fancy fireworks, ia a simple eOntrivance. II
Is made by soaking ordinary cotton wick in a
compound of meal powder, gum arabic, aloo'
hol and water, and is very eOmbustible. Al
the moment the shell leaves the mortar the
fuse ignites and is gradually consumed unit
| the fame reaches an interior cavity OF the
shell holding a charge Of powder Instant
explosion snsues, the shell breaks with loud
report and sheds the burning stars in per
feet shower of beautiful oolOrs. Sometimes
the oonsummats effect Is a sinuous, snake
like grouping, long slender blades OF ir'
squirIning about in the most fantastic way
! This is brought about by filling the shell will