}^. NORFOLK. 8^ 



A covering of reed is, in the lirft inftance, 

 coftly : but when its durability, and the high 

 degree of prefervation in which it keeps the 

 roof are taken into the account, it is of all 

 Others the cheapefl covering ; befules its being, 

 Vv^hether in the extreme of heat or cold, the 

 moft comfortable. 



The price of reed, in the place of its growth, 

 is from three pounds to three guineas a hun- 

 dred ; containing fix fcore fathom; each fathom 

 (compofed of five or fix Reaves) rneafuring 

 fix feet in circumference. A hundred of reed 

 will cover five fquares of roof : the laying is 

 a halfpenny a yard, or four IhiUings and two- 

 pence a fquare ^ and the tar-rope and rods for 

 laftening it on, coft eightecn*pence a fquare : 

 fo that a covering of new reed co.fls about 

 eighjjeei'^ fhillings a fquare, containing one 

 hiraireii fquare feet; befides carriage, and 

 what is called "roofing;" namely, a cap of 

 wheat-ftraw placed upon the ridge, in a fome- 

 what fimilar manner, and for the famepurpofe, 

 as ridge-tiles are put on. 



This capping, v/hich Is done in a mofl ef- 

 feftual, but in a tedious and expenfive, man- 

 gier, colts in materials and vvorkmanlhip about 



fixteeii 



