Mr. Potter: Would you make more than one hole around the tree?
Mr. Evans: Use your own judgment about that.
Mr. Potter: How far out will it loosen or break up the ground?
Mr. Evans: Probably six feet. You can distinguish on the top of the ground where it takes place.
Mr. Potter: How deep will it be?
Mr. Evans: About a foot deeper than the charge is placed.
The Secretary: With me the most important thing in using dynamite is the question of headache. I used the 20 per cent at first and it had no effect. I had heard of its causing headaches and knew some people couldn't use it but I thought I was immune. Then I began to use 70 or 80 per cent and I got knocked out for twenty-four hours. The more I used it the more susceptible I became. When I went back to handling the lower percentages I got the same results, was completely knocked out and had to go to bed. Sometimes the effect would come on a long time after I used the dynamite, perhaps hours afterwards, and the headache would increase, until I was intensely nauseated and had to give up entirely. Is there anything to prevent that? Is it caused by the fumes after the explosion?
Mr. Evans: Some say it is from handling the dynamite, others say it is the fumes after the explosion. Red Cross has ammonia in it and that ought to help some. Dynamite contains nitro glycerine and if you handle it bare handed it gets in the pores of the skin and causes rapid heart action. In dynamiting holes for tree planting you will get the fumes and you will get a headache. If a man could work with gloves on he could avoid this to a very great extent. You can't do it easily but if you can do it without taking off the gloves I don't think it would bother you much. I neglected to state that dynamite by itself is not dangerous because it will withstand shock or fire or anything like that. The danger is in the cap. It contains the most powerful explosive known. If you handle them carefully, there is absolutely no danger. This year we are slipping little copper disks into the caps with a pin hole for the fire to strike through.
Mr. Hargis: I have difficulty in making the shots. Should you put your cap at the bottom or the top of the stick?
Mr. Evans: I should advise the top. A misfire is always expensive. If you think it is necessary put in a cap in the bottom and one in the top.