The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-09-12
u. S. GOVERNMENT
DONATES EXPLOSIVES
DISTRIBUTED TO FARM E R S
OVER COUNTRY. ALLOTTED
100000 LBS. SINCE FALL.

Attention of farmers in all sections
OF the country to the free distribution
of excess war explosives tor iarni
work is called by the United States
department OF agriculture,
Since last fall the department, III CO.
oDeration with the various state agrl-
cultural colleges. has distributed S.
100000 pounds OF pierre acid, a sur
plus explosive which is very efficient,
easy and safe TO handle.
In Minnesota the State agricultural
college reports:
we feel that picric acid has been
= GREAT benefit to the state and has
done a great deal to stimulate land
clearing. Alb reports are 10 the effect
that its use has been highiy@s2t isfac-
tory. The J74,@00 pounds allotted TO
Minnesota Mere distributed 70 SSH
farmers, Averaging 222 pounds per
farmer We Estimate that this Will
clear $4,000 acres OF land, and has
made a saving of over S/O,OOO Tor the
farmers of the state.
The economy of tits explosive IS
emphasized by the department IN a
recent circular showing that last tall S
distribution saved the farmers about
S3OOOOO over the cost of other eXpo-
sives. There are now available some
100000 pounds OF picrlc acid.
Picric acid is a high explosive which
was used in large quantities during the
war and is now being distributed to
farmers Tor agricultural purposes, says
the department. No charge is made
bv the government for the explosive
itself, but as it has to be dried out
and cartridged before it can be used
for peaceful uses, and the cost OF this
work must be paid by the farmers.
Picric acid is a comparatively safe
explosive and is used in the same way
that other agricultural explosives are
used. 1t has several advantages over
commercial explosives in that it keeps
indefinitely, without deteriorating, it is
not affected by heat or cold, and II
does not cause headaches or other i'll
effects when used in the open air. Be
cause of its greater cost OF manutact-
uring it will never be a competitor OF
commercial dynamites 1t is being dis
tributed for the purpose OF increasing
interest and activity i'll land clearing.
Another Distribution This Fall.
The government is making plans to
again release for shipment to farmers
this fall millions of pounds OF acid Tor
explosive purposes.
The distribution is to be without
cost, except 7 cents per pound for
drying and cartridging expense, plus
the cost of freight, and is in the ma
ture OF a dividend on some OF the
expense OF the war and war taxes, in
asmuch as this explosive is surplus
war materials.
Originally, about 100000 pounds
OF the picric acid was available as war
surplus. A considerable amount was
distributed to the states for road build
ing purposes by the government and
there now remains approximately O.
100000 lbs. to be distributed this TALL
Farmers in all sections OF the coun-
try who can use this explosive may
apply now for it, so that the fall ship
ping schedules may be made up Tor
the states
Details OF the methods OF distribu-
ton can be secured from any state
agricultural colleges, and farmers Ilii+5
desire to obtain the explosive are urg-
ed to get in touch with these colleges.
Some OF the acid is located at Fort
Wingate, New Mexico, and an addl-
tional supply for shipments to eastern
points is located at Edgewood Arse
nal, Maryland.