Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-07-15
WAS A NOISY FOURTH
FIREWORKS DISPLAY GREATER THAN
 USUAL. THIS YEAR.

something About the Making of Fire Dis
 plays and Crackers of Various Sorts and
 What They Cost-AIany Fireworks Made
 In America,
 On account of the presidential cam palgn the fireworks part of the celebra ton of the Fourth of July was more noisy this year than ever.
 1t seems to be the general impression that all the fireworks are made in China or Japan. Such is not the case, however. While they furnish us with the small fireeraekers, which they are enabled to make cheaply on account of cheap labor, they are unable to compete with the Americans ill the manufacture of set pieces and displays.
 Most of the fireworks used in the east Of the country are made on Staten Is land. One firm ill New York has plant at Graniteville, which employs over 300 persons and is kept running all the year. Besides this there are several other plants on the island.
 The ingredients and methods of put ting firecrackers together are kept some what of a secret by the manufacturers. They say, however, that they are com posed mainly of gunpowder, saltpeter, charcoal and meal powder Chemicals are used to produce the desired colors. Nitrate of barium makes a green light Sodium makes a yellow. The calcium compounds produce the shades of red. | n Cfe of powder and sulphur, with gum and spirits of wine.
 To make roman candle or rocket the paper is cut into strips and rolled into tubes The tubes are dried and filled either by hand or by machinery Sand is put i'll the candle first and pressed | tight. Gunpowder is then put ill in sufficient quantity to give the desired force. Balls or stars are then put i'll with alternate layers of gunpowder un- til the tube is filled. Colored paper is pasted on the outside and the candle is complete
 Automatic set pieces are the newest thing this year. There is a full sized l figure representing bicycle and rider that is completely outlined with fire works. Upon lighting the fuse the wheels begin to revolye and the riders legs to move. There are also kicking donkey and a jumping jack which work on the same principle. These pieces can be purchased for $10.
 Besides the pyrotechnics for night displays, there are also fireworks to use in the daytime. These consist of bombs which, when fired into the air, develop into animals and various unexplainable objects conceived in the minds of the Japanese.
 Water fireworks are also made which produce many pleasing and wonderful effects The list includes diving devils. flying fish, fountains, sea serpents and volcanoes.
 Cannon crackers are already very scarce. Last year the American cannon l cracker was used to great extent, and for that reason dealers did not give their usual orders to the foreign manufac- turers The American cracker made the greater noise, but was pronounced dan- gerous, and laws have been passed pro- hibiting it's use ill New York.
 A good assortment of fireworks suit able for private display may be pur- chased for $6 50 The most expensive single piece on the market is set piece entitled "Agriculture. |" It is listed at $1, $50. There are large number of ex- hibition designs which cost from $500 to $700 each.
 Great care must be taken by the deal CT to prevent his stock from taking fire. Large signs with Fireworks, No Smok- ing, - on them are placed in conspicuous places. Notwithstanding these precau- tions men persist in going into the stores with lighted cigars ill their mouths, and it is necessary to keep men in uniform stationed constantly to ses that the rules are observed.
 The Fourth of July trade begins in February. Statesmen are sent out on the road to take orders, and the wholesale stores are stocked. Most of the deliver ing of fireworks is done in the week before the Fourth.
 In the southern states the Fourth of July is not celebrated as 1t is ill the north. The weather is too hot ill July for enthusiastic celebrations, and while the day is observed as a national holi- day the celebrations are quiet compared with those in the northern states. New York Sun.