[Footnote A: It has been proposed to mix dynamite with amyl alcohol for
this purpose. Di-nitro-mono-chlorhydrine has also been proposed.]

The finished gelatine paste, upon entering the cartridge huts, is at once
transferred to the cartridge-making machine, which is very like an
ordinary sausage-making machine[A] (Fig. 33). The whole thing must be made
of gun-metal or brass, and it consists of a conical case containing a
shaft and screw. The revolutions of the shaft cause the thread of the
screw to push forward the gelatine introduced by the hopper on the top to
the nozzle, the apex of the cone-shaped case, from whence the gelatine
issues as a continuous rope. The nozzle is of course of a diameter
according to the size of cartridge required.

[Footnote A: G. M'Roberts, _Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind._, 31st March 1890, p.
266.]

[Illustration: FIG. 33.--CARTRIDGE-MAKING MACHINE FOR GELATINE
EXPLOSIVES.]

The issuing gelatine can of course be cut off at any length. This is best
done with a piece of hard wood planed down to a cutting edge, i.e.,
wedge-shaped. Mr Trench has devised a kind of brass frame, into which the
gelatine issuing from the nozzle of the cartridge machine is forced,
finding its way along a series of grooves. When the frame is full, a
wooden frame, which is hinged to one end of the bottom frame, and fitted
with a series of brass knives, is shut down, thereby cutting the gelatine
up into lengths of about 4 inches.

It is essential that the cartridge machines should have no metallic
contacts inside. The bearing for the screw shaft must be fixed outside the
cone containing the gelatine. One of these machines can convert from 5 to
10 cwt. of gelatine into cartridges per diem, depending upon the diameter
of the cartridges made.

After being cut up into lengths of about 3 inches, the gelatine is rolled
up in cartridge paper. Waterproof paper is generally used. The cartridges
are then packed away in cardboard boxes, which are again packed in deal
boxes lined with indiarubber, and screwed down air tight, brass screws or
zinc or brass nails being used for the purpose. These boxes are sent to
the magazines. Before the boxes are fastened down a cartridge or so should
be removed and tested by the heat test, the liquefaction test, and the
test for liability to exudation. (Appendix, p. 6, Explosives Act, 1875.) A
cartridge also should be stored in the magazine in case of any subsequent
dispute after the bulk of the mate