But that was, of course, an inferior kind, quite different to what is now employed.

In so comparatively short a period has everything--even the mode of roofing--changed that the introduction of slates is still in many places within the memory of man.

Hilary had still a lingering preference for thatch; and though he could not deny the utility of slate, his inclination was obviously in favour of straw.

He assured me that good straw from a good harvest (for there was much difference in it), well laid on by a good thatcher, had been known to keep out the weather for forty-five years.
We looked into the garden at the Place, where Hilary particularly called my attention to the kidney-beans; for, said he, if the kidney-beans run up the sticks well, with a strong vine, then it would be a capital hop-year.

On the contrary, if they were weak and poor, the hops would prove a failure.