STRAW PLAT. 163 



and the blue tint predominates, the deeper and deader 

 yellow does the straw become when dried. Other 

 points, however, are to be considered as well as the 

 colour, and these are not dependant alone on the 

 particular species of grass. Mr. Parry found that 

 the straw of grain grown upon clay soils is liable 

 to become spotted, or otherwise discoloured, and 

 apparently takes up a larger proportion of iron than 

 usual, whereby it is rendered unfit to be used for the 

 better kind of plat. When raised upon sandy soils, 

 it in like manner seems to take up an undue propor- 

 tion of silex, or flint earth, and thus becomes harsh 

 and too brittle for fine platting; but when grown 

 upon chalky soils, as well as being of a superior 

 colour, it possesses the pliancy requisite for the best 

 plat. The reputation which the Dunstable hats 

 have so long enjoyed is attributed to this peculiarity 

 arising from soil. 



The manner of preparing the English grasses, as 

 recommended by Mr. Cobbett, very nearly resembles 

 the Italian method. The grass is cut as soon as it 

 comes into bloom, it is then tied up in small sheaves, 

 put into a shallow tub, and covered with boiling 

 water. It remains in this situation during ten minutes, 

 on being taken out it is spread thinly on soft grass 

 for a week, being turned daily during that time. The 

 only part used for platting is that portion of the 

 stalk which is between the upper knot and the 

 seed- branches. It is, however, found necessary in 

 England to cut and bleach the whole plant, because 

 if this part were taken off while green, it would wi- 

 ther away ; but when the preparation is finished, this 

 as being the only useful part is taken, and the rest 

 rejected. The grass used by Miss Woodhouse did 

 not require this precaution. In her process the 

 upper part was taken off previously to scalding and 

 drying, which operations it underwent in alternations, 



