9), gives a description of the mode of bleaching in use in Germany, which will, we believe, be interesting to the English reader.

John Yeardley says: Wilt thou not be surprised when I tell thee that I am about to commence yarn-bleaching?
Thou mayst be sure there is a pretty certain prospect of considerable advantages, with not much risk, to induce me to make the attempt.

The advantages are threefold--safety, expedition and cheapness.
The first consists in the simplicity of treatment and safety of the ingredients, no chemical process being made use of; the second arises from the heat of the climate; the last is easily accounted for from the low price of labor and the cheapness of the raw material, which is produced in abundance in the neighborhood.

In the country around, for a very considerable distance, almost every family make their own linen; they grow or buy the flax, spin the yarn and get it woven, and either bleach it themselves or send it to others who have better conveniences in water, &c.
As the spring commenced, I noticed these little bleaching-plots wherever I went, and often wondered that the color was so good.

Knowing that such people could not possibly be at any great expense or risk in the operation, I concluded it must be done by dint of time and labor, supposing that the yarn and cloth must lie at least a few months on the grass; but, on inquiry, I was surprised to find it was made quite white in three weeks or a month.