254 THE CULTURE 



ferent degrees of hardnefs, and thi'ow them 

 into three diiierent bafkets. The firfl: fort 

 will confifl: of all that are very compact, 

 having their fingle hairs very firmly glued 

 over one another -, the fecond of thofe 

 which are of a middle confidence j and 

 the third, thofe v^hofe hairs are loofe and 

 open. The liard or loofe confiftence is not 

 judged of by tlie fiofs, but by the compa6i: 

 part of the pod which remains under the 

 flofs. 



It may not be amifs to obferve that chil- 

 dren may readily be taught the bufmefs 

 of fcripping the flofs from off the pods^ 

 but to judge of their confiftence and fort 

 them, will require a perfon of fome Ikill -, 

 and though the flripping oft the flofs may 

 be performed by candle light, this tiiine h 

 not very convenient, either for foiting, of 

 reeling, thefe requiring a good light and a 

 quick eye 3 though with regard to the com.- 

 paclnefs or foftnefs of the pods,' ybii will 

 partly be guided by the feeling, and partly 

 by the appearance, thofe being the hardefl, 

 and requiring the water in which they are 

 reeled warmeil, whofe hairs appear mofi: 

 firmly adhering, and moll: glued over one 

 another. The time ipent in forting will 



be 



