The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-03-12
EaR ZA2FtzaUYZ 4CzzJE,

tion are described by Capt H. p. Sheldon in an
article contributed to the American Elevator and
Grain Trade (Chicago) Says Captain Sheldon,
in part:
"Three great divisions of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, the bureaus of chemistry
plant industry and markets, inclined to take
some reports of bomb Outrages with grain or
salt, and more than grain Of science. THESE
bureaus have combined to investigate, and, If pos
sible, control the mysterious explosions and fires
which occur in threShing machines and which
known to the general public as dust eX-
plOsiOns.'
Last year in the Walla Walla section Of south
eastern Washington, there were reports Of APP
proximately 40 explosions and fires, the property
loss involved being in the neighbOrhOod of $780,
600. In the Palouse region, also in south
eastern Washington. but of slightly larger area
than the Walla Walla. where smut and grain-dust
explosions had been more numerous than in any
other section in previous harvests, there were
about 40 explosions with property loss of about
$4,000.
at seems advisable to describe more fully the
factors which combine to produce a grain-dust
explosion in threshng machine. The first In
gredient for the combination is smut. grain-dust'
or a combination of both. more frequently oc-
ours, liberated in the separator during threshing
operations.
"That the preventive appliances. particularly
dust-collectng fans designed by the department
investigators and the threshing-machne manufac-
turers are efficient can not be doubted. There Is
no record of any explosion occurring i'm o machine
that had been properly equipped with these de-
vices, though these machines were operated In
the same section under conditions of high tenn
perature low humidity and dust-all prime fac
tors for the occurrence of dust explosions"
Most often. apparently, the source of ignition
o;+r chs of VIII
generated in the thresher itself through the ac-
tion Of racing belts whirring cylinders and pas
sage of grain straw and dust metal surfaces
In short Captain Sheldon explains. the thresher
becomes a huge dynamo, constantly making ana
storing electricity which, unless given closed
metal path to the ground, will pass between metal
narts or off into the air in the form Of sparks
Or the necessary heat for ignition may be sup
plied by a spark produced by metallic or foreign
substances passing through the machine; heated
herring the flame from stray match, or the coal
of discarded cgaret. He goes on:
"a great reduction in the number of explosions
nrobably can be obtained by wiring the ma
chimes as to carry to the ground accumulated
charges Of static electricity
"NIuch success has resulted from the use Of
fre-extinguisher adapted to grain separators,
which in the event of fire not only saves the ma
chine. but prevents the spread of the flames to
'0The scientists conducted special experiments
with devices intended to remove smut dust ana
dirt from the grain.
"As a result of recent conference IN Seatte
between representatives Of the Department of Agri-
culture Washington state fire officials and repre-
sentatives of insurance companies and under
WRITER'S associations recognition will be given by
these insurance interests to the devices recon-
mended by the department for the prevention OF
exnlosIons and fires in threshing machines This
has resulted in a copper cent reduction Of insur-
ance rates on machines in the Pacific Northwest
properly equipped with dust-collecting fan' hre-
extinguisher or wiring system. The former rate
ON machines has been practically prohibitive, be-
ing ten to eleven dollars and fifty cents per hun
dred."
So. if you want to watch your dust you can
send for bulletin prepared by the bureau Of
chemistry. entitled "Grain Dust Explosion Proven
ton" And by communicating with the bureau
YOU can get into touch with men trained in dust
explosion prevention