Notwithstanding, therefore, the present demand for war purposes, powder men assure us that the business is very dull. The great Northeast and Northwest consume a very large amount of gunpowder, but the people of these regions, being generally predisposed to industry, it is used for purposes of blasting, and general internal improvements. Hence an immense amount of sporting powder is annually sent South. They make up in this way for the excitements of active business and of the city life enjoyed by the Northerners. In a time of peace the Southern people spend much of their time in hunting, fishing, and in rural sports. Surprising as this fact seems, we are yet assured of its truth by parties most extensively engaged in the business. If we consider, also, the immense number of cannons, rifles, small arms, &c., necessary to equip an army of 500,000 men, and required in fortresses and upon ships of war, the immense amount of gunpowder burnt in mere practice, in order to attain accuracy of aim and make the army efficient, and the amount used in actual conflict, where hundreds of charges are fired to every man killed, we may form a faint idea of the amount of gunpowder consumed in actual war.īut great as is likely to be the immediate demand for powder by the National Government, it will constitute, but, perhaps, one-quarter of the gunpowder consumed in this country in a time of peace. Some idea of the amount of gunpowder consumed in a large war may be formed from considering the following facts: The charge of gunpowder ordinarily required in common field-pieces is one-third the weight of the ball and supposing twenty cents per pound is paid for the powder, it takes eighty cents' worth to fire a twelve-pounder and two dollars and twenty cents' worth to fire a thirty-two pounder. At the present time it can probably be bought by the Government at from $4 to $5 per keg, each keg weighing 25 pounds. In the Revolution the price of gunpowder was as high as $25 per keg, or $1 per pound.
In time of war it is sometimes a serious question as to the ready supply of this indispensable article for carrying on hostilities.
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