Colonel Barker, R.A., in reply to a question raised by Colonel Trench, R.A. (at the Royal Artillery Institution), concerning the shooting qualities of cordite heated to a temperature of 110 deg.  F., said:  “Heating cordite and firing it hot undoubtedly does disturb its shooting qualities, but as far as we can see, not much more than gunpowder.  I fear that we must always expect abnormal results with heated propellants, either gunpowder or cordite; and when fired hot, the increase in pressure and velocities will depend upon the heat above the normal or average temperature at which firing takes place.”  Colonel Barker also, in referring to experiments that had been made in foreign climates, said:  “Climatic trials have been carried out all over the world, and they have so far proved eminently satisfactory.  The Arctic cold of the winter in Canada, with the temperature below zero, and the tropical sun of India, have as yet failed to shake the stability of the composition, or abnormally injure its shooting qualities.”  Dr Anderson is of opinion that cordite should not be stored in naval magazines near to the boilers.  Professor Vivian B. Lewes, in his recent Cantor Lectures before the Society of Arts, suggests that the magazines of warships should be water-jacketed, and maintained at a temperature that does not rise above 100 deg.  F.

Axite.—­This powder is manufactured by Messrs Kynock Limited, at their works at Witton, Birmingham.  The main constituents of cordite are retained although the proportions are altered; ingredients are added which impart properties not possessed by cordite, and the methods of its manufacture have been modified.  The form has also been altered.  Axite is made in the form of a ribbon, the cross section being similar in shape to a double-headed rail.  It is claimed for this powder, that it does not corrode the barrel in the way cordite does, that with equal pressure it gives greatly increased velocity, and therefore flatter trajectory.  That the effect of temperature on the pressure and velocity with axite is only half that with cordite.  That the maximum flame temperature of axite is considerably less than that of cordite, and the erosive effect is therefore considerably less.  That the deposit left in the barrel after firing axite cartridges reduces the friction between the bullet and the barrel.  It is therefore practicable to use axite cartridges giving higher velocities than can be employed with cordite, as with such velocities the latter would nickel the barrel by excessive friction.  It is also claimed that the accuracy is greatly increased.  The following results have been obtained with this same time, and under the same conditions:—­

Axite Cartridges with 200-grain bullets. 
  Velocity 2,726 F.S. 
  Pressure 20.95 tons.

Axite Cartridges with 215-grain bullets. 
  Velocity 2,498 F.S. 
  Pressure 19.24 tons.

Axite Service Cartridges. 
  Velocity 2,179 F.S. 
  Pressure 15.76 tons.