1. Thoroughly overhaul the gun to see that no part is deficient, and that the mechanism works freely. 2. See that the barrel is clean and dry. 3. See that the barrel mouthpiece is tight. 4. See that small hole in gas regulator is to the rear. 5. Thoroughly oil all working parts, especially the cam slot and exterior of the bolt, and the striker post and piston. 6. Weigh and adjust the mainspring. 7. See that the mounting is firm. 8. Examine the magazines and ammunition. 9. See that the spare parts and oil reserve are handy. POINTS DURING FIRING 1. During a temporary cessation of fire, re-oil all working parts. 2. Replace a partly emptied magazine with a full one. 3. Examine the mounting to see that it is firm. 4. See that empty magazines are refilled without delay. POINTS AFTER FIRING. 1. Unload. 2. Oil the bore and chamber, piston rod and gas cylinder. 3. Sort out live rounds from empty cases. 4. See that mainspring is eased. 5. Thoroughly clean and oil the gun on returning to quarters. Clean the bore daily for several days. It is of the greatest importance that the points before, during, and after firing, should be carefully attended to as otherwise the number of stoppages will be unnecessarily increased. Nine out of ten stoppages are due to want of care. Immediate action must become instinctive and automatic. Grenade Instruction. INTRODUCTION.--War, as it is being fought on the western front, has brought to light many new weapons; but no other weapon that this struggle has brought forth exceeds the grenade in importance. It is not a new weapon, but its present importance is entirely new. Its extensive use has grown out of conditions on the western front; conditions which have never been seen previous to this war. The fact that armies have taken to "digging themselves in" has necessitated the use of some other weapon than the rifle. The rifle with its flat trajectory is of little use against an enemy who is completely hidden from view and who can go on existing under ground. Hence the reversion to the ancient grenade--but with all its modern improvements. The grenade has shown itself to be the weapon that can solve the problem of seeking out an enemy who is under ground; its trajectory is high and its fire is plunging, so that it can be thrown from a place of concealment and protection and into a place equally well concealed from ordinary view. The importance of the grenade may be judged from its extensive use by both the Allies and the Germans; and also by the formations now adopted by both British and French armies for the purpose of exploiting its use. In a British Battalion the normal percentage of expert bombers is 25. In the French Company 36 per cent of the men are devoted to grenade work.