280 The Natural Hijlory 



another considerable trade, the Fell-mongers fheep- skins, after 

 dr effe d and drained, being here made into wares, viz^. Jackets, 

 Breeches, Leather linings, i$c. which they chiefly vent into Berkr 

 fiire, VVilt-Jhire, and Dorfit-Jfrire, no Town in England having a 

 trade like it in that fort of ware. 



1 74. Which two trades of the Towns of Witney and Bampton, 

 are the moft eminent, that are too, the moftpeculiar of this Coun- 

 ty. The Mauhing trade of Oxfordznd Henly on Thames, 'tis true 

 are confiderable, and Burford has been famous time out of mind 

 for the making of Saddles ; and fo has Oxford had the reputation 

 of the beft Gloves and Knives, of any place in England ; butthefe 

 trades being not peculiar to the places where they are pra&ifed, I 

 therefore pafs them by without further notice. 



175. But the Starch trade of Oxford, though indeed it be not 

 great, yet being practiced in few places, and the method known 

 to fewer how it is made, its difcovery perhaps may be acceptable 

 to fome, I (hall not therefore flick to give a fhort account of it. 

 Let them know therefore, that the fubftance we commonly call 

 Starch, notwithftanding its pmewhitenefs, is made of the fhorteft 

 and worft Iran that they make in the Meal flops, worfe than that 

 they fell to Carriers to feed their Horfis ; This they fteep in a water 

 prepared for that purpofe (by a folution at firft of Roch-Alum, a- 

 bout a pound to a Hogshead, which will laft for ever after) for ten 

 or fourteen days in great tubs ; then 'tis taken and wajhed through 

 a large Ofier basket over three other tubs, the fower water of the fe- 

 condtub wafhing it into the firft ; and the fower water of the third, 

 into the fecond; and clear water from the Pump wafliing it into 

 the third. 



1 76. Where by the way it muft be noted, that only Pump wa- 

 ter will ferve the turn to give it this laft waflnng, and continue 

 the waters fowernefs for ever after, by reafon I fuppofe of the in- 

 cifive particles of fait to be found in moft Pump waters (which are 

 plain from their not taking Joaf) that are apt to work upon and 

 feparate the fineft flower yet flicking to the bran (notwithftanding 

 the mill and fieve") which at laft becomes slarch. 



177. What remains in the basket at laft after the three wajhings, 

 is thrown upon the dung-hill, which, as they have found of late, 

 becomes a very good manure for meddow land, and fliould there- 

 fore have been mentioned in the 70 . of this Chapter, amongft 



the 



