Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-08-26
it's high cost of manufacture, its in

its high cost of manufacture, its in
sensitiveness, and its rapidity OF de-
donation 1t cannot be classed as IN
agricultural explosive; but as sa.-
wage war material its use is rec M
mended to those farmers who can
obtain 1t at cost less than that OF
commercial explosives. Some 49,.
100000 pounds of saivaged pier C
cid is to be distributed to lane
owners, by the U. S. Department o.
of Agriculture for tn purpo.e O
stimulating land clearing activities.
1t has been prepared for distribu-
tion by drying and packing in
double-dipped paraffined cartridges
weighing six ounces. The cart
ridges are packed in wooden boxes
each containing 100 pounds OF pic
rio acid
It is a Safe Explosive.
Ptcric acid Is comparatively
safe high explosive. 1t is more in
sensitive to shock or impact and to
friction than are the commercial ex-
plosives. but it is slightly more SEN
sitive to shock than INT. Pier C
acid is difficult to ignite and viii
burn, at least in small quantities,
without exploding. Theoretically
picric acid in the presence of GER
tain metals will form dangerous com
pounds. but cooperative tests car
ried on by the U. s. Bureau Of
Mines, the University OF Wisconsin,
and the U. s. Department of Agri-
culture indicate that no Danger will
be involved In using picric acid In
| soils containing lime or IRON How
ever. picric acid Is high explosive
and as such should be treated with
great respect. 1t should not be ex-
posed to fire or flame and no metals
should be allowed tocome in con-
i tact with 1t.
Toxic Effects.
So far as ordinary handling is
concerned. picric acid has no toxic
fleets. 1t can be used in any open
! air blasting operations and will not
cause headaches or other Ill effec s.
| Decorators.
Picric acid should be detonat. d
with what Is known as q No. 8 de-
tonator or cap. Dynamite and farm
powders are usually fired by No. s
caps. but because of its insensitive.
ness the stronger caps (No. 81
| should be used with picric acid
There are two kinds Of caps. one
red by safety fuse and the other
| ty an electric current. The No. s
size of both kinds are of the sam,
1 trcneth and either may be used
With picric acid. The ccps are
lac d in the plcric acid cartridges
nd fired in the same way a in tn .
dynamite. Both types of caps are
oaded with charge Of highly sem
tive and violent explosive. TIL,
APPS must be handled carefully AMI
should not be stored or carried with
licric acid or any other h gh ex-
| plosive.
How Picric Acid Is Used.
For stump and rock blasting pic
&c acid can be used in exactly the
ame way as hvr"mite is used. The
harges should be placed in the
same manner. and tn, same numb r
/ # cartridges should b. used in the
. barge as In the case of dynimite.
+, As has been said No. instead Of
No. cap should b. used wi h
! picric acid.
For Blasting bitches.
The electric method Of firing
must be used because the picric acid
is so insensitive that 1t Will not pro-
/ pagate.
| 1t Is believed that the above in
| formation will be sufficient to in
ure the proper use or pfcric acid
" persons who are familiar with
+ the use OF dynamite in agricultural
operations. Detailed Information
ard instructions as to the use o.
picrie acid in stump blasting can b.
secured by APPLICATION to the Bureau
of Public Roads. Department Of Ag-