166 OLD WEST SURREY 



always of wood — farmers and even cottagers commonly 

 brewed their own beer. Some of those used for large casks 

 were a good two and a half inches across the 

 wide flat end that took the blows of the 

 mallet. 



A cottage industry that still survives in this 

 neighbourhood is the making of birch and 

 Large Wooden heath brooms. As no cast-iron or machine- 

 made substitute for these useful things has 

 yet appeared, let us hope that they may still remain. Their 

 safety is probably in their cheapness, for the price in the 

 country, buying direct from the maker, is three and sixpence 

 a dozen for birch and half-a-crown a dozen for heath. The 

 materials cost the makers very little; often much less than 

 the rigfhtful owner of the birches and handle stuff intends or 

 is aware of, and they are quickly and easily made. 



Among the broom-squarers or broom-squires there have 

 always been some very rough characters. Two generations 

 ago they were rougher still, for then their haunts among the 

 heathy wastes had not been invaded by the builder or by 

 any civilising influences. But there are many good, honest, 

 hard-working men among them. One, who for many 

 years has supplied me with a regular yearly ' four dozen 

 birch and two dozen heath,' I am sorry to know is now 

 past work. 



The birch spray is not used fresh. It is put aside to dry 

 and toughen for some months. Then they ' break birch for 

 brooms.' A faggot is opened, and the spray is broken by hand 

 to the right size and laid in bundles. Breaking birch is 

 often women's work. The ' bonds ' that fasten the spray on 

 to the handle are of hazel or withy, split and shaved with the 

 knife into thick ribbons. They are soaked in water to make 



