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Water-rockets


They may be made from four ounces to two pounds. If larger, they are

too heavy; so that it will be difficult to make them keep above water

without a cork float, which must be tied to the neck of the case; but

the rockets will not dive so well with as without floats.



Cases for these are made in the same manner and proportion as

sky-rockets, only a little thicker of paper. When you fill those which

are driv
n solid, put in first one ladleful of slow fire, then two of

the proper charge, and on that one or two ladles of sinking charge,

then the proper charge, then the sinking charge again, and so on, till

you have filled the case within three diameters; then drive on the

composition one ladleful of clay; through which make a small hole to

the charge; then fill the case, within half a diameter, with

corn-powder, on which turn down two or three rounds of the case in the

inside; then pinch and tie the end very tight; having filled the

rockets, (according to the above directions,) dip their ends in melted

resin or sealing-wax, or else secure them well with grease. When you

fire those rockets, throw in six or eight at a time; but, if you would

have them all sink, or swim, at the same time, you must fill them with

an equal quantity of composition, and fire them together.



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