Having broken a cast-iron plate, or iron pot, to pieces, on an anvil, pulverize the fragments till the grains are not larger than radish seed, then sift them through six graduated sieves to separate the different sizes; and preserve these six different kinds in a very dry place, in closely-corked bottles. The grains which pass through the first or finest sieve, are called Sand of the 1st order, and those that pass through the second sieve, Sand of the 2nd order, &c. Compositions into which iron filings, or sand, are introduced, must not be driven hard, for fear of accidents by explosion.
LEADERS, OR PIPES OF COMMUNICATION.
These are small tubes of paper, of lengths adapted to the distances to which they are to extend. The paper is cut into slips two or three inches broad, or sufficient to go four times round the formers, which are about one-fourth of an inch diameter. Brass wire formers are the best, and should be oiled to prevent the paper sticking. Quick match is inserted in these tubes, but must be made to go in easily. The quick match should project an inch beyond each end of the leader, and should be inserted into the mouths of the cases of the fireworks with a small quantity of mealed powder. The leaders must not be placed too near, or cross each other so as to touch, as it may happen that the fire from one may communicate to another, and destroy thereby the intended arrangements.
MARROONS.
Marroons are boxes containing from 1 to 6 ounces of powder. They are made either on a square, or round former, and the ends of the paper are pasted down, and well welded round with kitted twine worked over cross-ways. A hole is bored into the case, and a match inserted.
MEALING GUNPOWDER.
A small quantity of powder being placed on a table with a rim round it, is rubbed down with a scored wooden mealer until all the grains are broken, and it becomes sufficiently fine to pass through a lawn sieve.
PASTE FOR REPRESENTING ANIMALS, ETC., IN FIRE.
Reduce sulphur to an impalpable powder, and having formed it into a paste with starch, cover with it the figure intended to be represented on fire, which must, however, have been previously coated over with clay, to prevent it from being burnt. When covered with the paste, besprinkle it, while still moist, with mealed powder; and when perfectly dry, arrange some matches on the principal parts, so that fire may be speedily communicated to every part of it. The same paste may be employed to form festoons, garlands, &c., the flowers of which might be imitated by fires of different colours, and could be formed on the frieze of a piece of architecture, covered with clay to preserve the stone, or wood from the effect of the fire. The Chinese imitate grapes exceedingly well, by mixing powdered sulphur with the pulp of the jejube, instead of flour-paste or starch.