having a face 7 yards wide, fast at both ends, and holed under for a
depth of 8 ft., end on, thickness of front of coal to be blown down 2
ft. 10 in., plus 9 in. of dirt. This represented a most difficult
shot, having regard to the natural lines of cleavage of the coal--a
"heavy job" as it was locally termed. The charge was 65 grammes of
roburite, which brought down a large quantity of coal, not at all too
small in size. No flame was perceptible, although all the lamps were
carefully covered.

2. A 2 in. hole drilled 4 ft. 6 in. into the side of the coal about 10
in. from the top, fast ends not holed under, width of space 10 ft.
This was purposely a "blowout" shot. The result was again most
satisfactory, the charge exploding in perfect darkness.

3. A "breaking up" shot placed in the stone roof for "ripping," the
hole being drilled at an angle of 35 deg. or 40 deg. This is intended
to open a cavity in the perfectly smooth roof, the ripping being
continued by means of the "lip" thus formed. The charge was 105
grammes (nearly 4 oz), and it brought down large quantities of stone.

4. A "ripping" shot in the stone roof, hole 4 ft. 6 in. deep, width of
place 15 ft. with a "lip" of 2 ft. 6 in. This is a strong stone
"bind," and very difficult to get down. The trial was most successful,
a large heap of stone being brought down and more loosened.

5. A second "blowout" shot, under the conditions most likely to
produce an accident in a fiery mine. A 2 in. hole, 4 ft. 6 in. deep,
was drilled in the face of the coal near the roof, and charged with
105 grammes of roburite. A space of 6 in. or 8 in. was purposely left
between the charge and the tamping. The hole was then strongly tamped