336 



NATURAL HISTORY 



the dew for some nights, and afterwards 

 be dried in the sun. 



Some address is required in dipping these 

 rushes in the scalding fat or grease ; but 

 this knack also is to be attained by practice. 

 The careful wife of an industrious Hamp- 

 shire labourer obtains all her fat for no- 

 thing ; for she saves the scummings of her 

 bacon-pot for this use ; and if the grease 

 abounds with salt, she causes the salt to 

 precipitate to the bottom, by setting the 

 scummings in a warm oven. Where hogs 

 are not much in use, and especially by the 

 sea-side, the coarser animal-oils will come 

 very cheap. A pound of common grease 

 may be procured for four pence ; and about 

 six pounds of grease will dip a pound of 

 rushes ; and one pound of rushes may be 

 bought for one shilling ; so that a pound 

 of rushes, medicated and ready for use, will 

 cost three shillings. If men that keep bees 

 will mix a little wax with the grease, it will 

 give it a consistency, and render it more 

 cleanly and make the rushes burn longer : 

 niutton-suet would have the same effect. 



