GOLDEN RAINS.
Meal-powder 6 parts.
Nitre 1 part.
Fine charcoal 2 parts.
Or,
Meal-powder 8 „
Fine charcoal 3 „
Let these ingredients be very intimately mixed. When the composition is
ready for use, place the tubular mouth of the funnel in the mouth of one
of your little cases; and then put the wire, through the neck of the
funnel, down to the bottom of the case. Next, half fill the funnel with
one of the above compositions. Now, steadying the case with one hand,
raise the wire a little by its handle, and drive it down again. Continue
to repeat this operation, giving the wire a succession of short, rapid
strokes. You may give about fifteen strokes in five seconds. Each time
the wire is raised, a small quantity of the composition falls round it
into the case, and the descent of the wire has the effect of driving the
composition firmly and compactly into its place. When the case is
charged, the funnel must be removed, and the space that was occupied by
its nozzle filled with gunpowder paste—gunpowder, that is, or
meal-powder moistened with gum-water. This will prevent the composition
from being shaken out of the cases, and at the same time forms the best
method of priming them. Take care that this paste is pressed well into
the mouth of the cases, and fills them.