The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-11
CRUMRLED TEETH.

by one European nation against an
other. ii would prove a fact, and we
might possibly have a thrilling story OF
the two-minute battle between the Kaiser
Wilhelm IL. and President Faure over
Metz and Strasburg.
Military acrOnauts as matter OF fact.
believe that battle Of this nature might
last an hour. Only recently peculiar
experiment was tried by the French
army, which tends TO strengthen the
aeronauts in the above view. \ balloon
was sent up mile and a half distant
from an imaginary army. and the rapid
FIRE guns were aimed at It the moment
I. hove in sight. Two Of the shots struck
IL but glanced off. third shot pierced
the outer covering. but did not impair
the inner coat in the least, and the bal
loon reached a height of something over
400 feet.
The material used in the German army
for the making Of balloons is the cost
lest pongee silk obtainable. For cheaper
balloons percale IS used, but this is UNI
desirable where great distances are 10
he reached and where the observations
will consume considerable time Germans
still have on exhibition. however parts
of the famous Delcourt balloon. made ~
1892. OF something Ike 10000 pieces of very
thin kid, all pasted together Another
material used I'm the experiments two
years ago was a thin plate made OF an
clloy Of tin and copper. but this proved
rs unsatisfactory as did an aluminium
balloon test
The pongee silk having been selected.
every inch Of its surface is tested. and
this proving successful the sections. are
cut out and turned over 10 about 300 girls.
who sew it together By hand. no ma
chimes being used.
The finest silk thread is given the
workers and every portion Of their
work uudergoes the most careful scrutiny
Sewing machines are not used for the
reason that IL is almost impossible TO
work them on the seams near the end.
some Of the French aerOnauts insist o.
having the balloon cloth sewed IN wha.
IRE called zones" from side 10 side.
Germans prefer sewing lcngitudinaiiy.
claiming. that it strengthens the balloon
greatly and adds to the power Of expan-
sion.
After the sewing IS completed warm
lshes are applied along the seams, ana
the work Of adjusting the net and the
basket begins. The ventilating apparatus
is applied 10 the bottom OF the balloon.
and this takes up fully two weeks OF
the practical acrOnauts time. The dead
weight carried by the famous Humboldt.
balloon. not including ballast, was l,l5Q
pounds. Those now being made carry :
lead weight OF over a ton, and includ-
ing ballast. aeronauts, &c, over double
his.
The fitting out Of a balloon basket IS q
ask requiring great ingenuity. In addi-
ion TO meteorological instruments there
$ complete supply Of instruments Tor
he inhalation OF oxygen. This Is. how
ever. only necessary when balloons are
Intended 10 be carried into an atmos-
1heric ozne of very rarifed air. The
military aeronaut watches and carefully
uperyises every phase OF balloon max
ng. Even while the monster is being MI
ID ne will take his place inside IT. and
by the def touch Of hands test stfcn6th
If the inner surface.
At present there are four OF these bal
looms in use I'm the German army AL
Of them are made on the general plan
Of the Humboldt. except in the material
used. which Is, as stated above, the hes.
pongee silk obtainabe. The apparatus
for emitting gas IS altogether much i'm
proved. md no didiculty whatever Is
experienced in reaching the ground.
The training OF II. military aeronaut /
not complete until he knows how 10 ro-.
lp an empty balloon. This is work re
curing weeks OF practice and wne-
it is thoroughly understood the COMPASS
Of the collapsed and folded balloon Is jus.
about the area of the basket In whic-
It is placed and carted TO the neaTes!
military station.
The balloon manoeuvros in the English
and Russian armies have been conducted
much more secretly than those OF Ger
many and France. and there are mos
the English aeronauts border on the
marvellous. -,
In America the aeronaut has no blood
thirsty ideas in his work Al pIsSene'
aeide from inventing hying machines.
he is devoting most Of his time to per-
fecting a balloon which VIII be aoie
improve the signal service. In fact TN, me
day Is not far distant "hen we W.
sey-vations. and these will enable us to
forecast storms much further ahead than
at present.-Washington POST