MANUFACTURING THE STRAW. 101 



in autumn in preference to the spring, because then the plant 

 sooner arrives at maturity, and the whole of the succeeding 

 summer is before the manufacturer for bleaching and prepar- 

 ing the straw. As soon as the stalk has attained sufficient 

 strength, it is gathered. 



ESTHER. 

 Do not they wait until the corn is ripe] 



MRS. F. 



The grain is suffered to form, but not to ripen, except upon 

 those stalks which are reserved for seed, and these are em- 

 ployed for hats of an inferior quality. The wheat is pulled 

 up by the roots, in order to procure the stalk as long as possi- 

 ble, and is laid in small bundles to be exposed for four or five 

 days to the sun. The dew assists the bleaching, but rain 

 spoils the color; once wetted, it loses all its whiteness, and 

 can never be used for the finest hats. 



HENRIETTA. 



Is the whole of the stalk used? 



MRS. F. 



Only that part which extends from the first knot in the 

 stalk to the ear. When it has been sufficiently exposed to 

 the heat of the sun, the straw is placed in a large wooden box 

 with a chafing-dish in the centre. Care is taken that no 

 metal whatever is employed in the construction of the box, 

 which is then hermetically closed, and the straw is thus ex- 

 posed to the' heat for three or four days. It is then sorted 

 according to its different qualities; and so nice are the manu- 

 facturers in their distinctions, that sometimes as many as 

 sixty heaps will be selected from one box, each differing from 

 the other in whiteness or quality. Plaiting is the next ope- 

 ration; the plait is begun with five straws, and gradually in- 

 creased to nine, until the crown of the hat is completed. The 

 sewing of the hats so as to make the needle pass between 

 the different straws is not a difficult process. When the hats 

 are finished, they are bleached, polished, and calendered, 

 9* 



