7. Are these fuzes always cut before being inserted in the shell?
Generally they are; but they are sometimes bored through at the proper positions instead of being sawed.
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8. Are they ever cut obliquely?
Yes, when the fuze is so long as to render it likely that it will reach the bottom of the shell; for by cutting it perpendicular to the axis, the whole base of the wood might be driven in contact with the bottom of the shell, and prevent the lighted composition from setting fire to the bursting charge.
9. Describe the paper-fuze.
It consists of a conical paper-case, containing the composition, whose rate of burning is shown by the color of the case, as follows:
| Black, | burns | 2" | to the inch |
| Red, | “ | 3" | “ |
| Green, | “ | 4" | “ |
| Yellow, | “ | 5" | “ |
Each fuze is made two inches long, and the yellow consequently burns 10". For any shorter time, the fuze is cut with a sharp knife. With this fuze is used a fuze-plug having a conical opening, which is reamed out to fit the paper-case when the shell is loaded, and the fuze is then pressed in with the thumb.
10. What is the great advantage of this fuze?