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then the wick of thofe have two ribs of the rind, or peel, to fup- 
port the pith, while the wick of the dipped rulh has but one. The 
two ribs are intended to impede the progrefs of the flame and 
make the candle laft. 
Li a pound of dry rufhes, avoirdupois, which I caufed to be 
weighed and numbered, we found upwards of one thoufand fix 
hundred individuals. Now fuppofe each of thefe burns, one with 
another, only half an hour, then a poor man will purchafe eight 
hundred hours of light, a time exceeding thirty-three entire days, 
for three ftiillings. According to this account each rufh, before 
dipping, cofts 3-3 of a farthing, and afterwards. Thus a poor 
family will enjoy 5t hours of comfortable light for a farthing. An 
experienced old houfekeeper affures me that one pound and an 
half of rufhes completely fupplies his family the year round, 
lince working people burn no candle in the long days, becaufe 
they rife and go to bed by daylight. 
Little farmers ufe ruflies much in the fhort days, both morning 
and evening, in the dairy and kitchen ; but the very poor, who 
are always the worft osconomifts, and therefore muft continue very 
poor, buy an halfpenny candle every evening, which, in their 
blowing open rooms, does not burn much more than two hours. 
Thus have they only two hours light for their money inftead of 
eleven. 
While on the fubjed of rural oeconomy, it may not be improper 
to mention a pretty implement of houfewifery that we have feen no 
where elfe ; that is, little neat befoms which our forefters make 
from the flalks of the polytricum commune, or great golden maiden-hair , 
which they call filk-wood, and find plenty in the bogs. When 
this mofs is well combed and dreffcd, and diverted of it's outer 
fein, it becomes of a beautiful bright-chefnut colour ; and, being 
Ibft 
