Besides the employment from husbandry the men work in
hop gardens, of which we have many; and fell and bark timber. In
the spring and summer the women weed the corn; and enjoy a
second harvest in September by hop-picking. Formerly, in the dead
months they availed themselves greatly by spinning wool, for
making of barragons, a genteel corded stuff, much in vogue at that
time for summer wear; and chiefly manufactured at Alton, a
neighbouring town, by some of the people called Quakers: but
from circumstances this trade is at an end.** The inhabitants enjoy
a good share of health and longevity: and the parish swarms with
children.
(* A state of the parish of Selborne, taken October 4, 1783.
The number of tenements or families, 136.
The number of inhabitants in the street is ... 313
In the rest of the parish ... 363
Total, 676; near five inhabitants to each tenement.
In the time of the Rev. Gilbert White, vicar, who died in 1727-8,
the number of inhabitants was computed at about 500.)
(** Since the passage above was written, I am happy in being able
to say that the spinning employment is a little revived, to the no
small comfort of the industrious housewife.
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