Arthur said he had, but he did not know it was cow-hair; and added, he could not have thought it could have been of any use.
“Every thing is of use, my dear,” said Mr. Mansfield. “I doubt if you can name a part of the cow that will not turn to some account.”
“What the hoofs, grandpapa?” said Charles.
“Yes, Charles,” returned Mr. Mansfield. “The hoofs and the parings of the skin, by being boiled down to a strong jelly, make the glue which carpenters use to join things together.”
Arthur. The horns—Oh, I know what is done with the horns. I have seen horn lanterns, and I have got a little box at home that mamma says is made of horn.
Mr. Mansfield. Very well, Arthur. And you may have seen boxes, and knife-handles, and combs, and many other things, made of the bones of the ox. Even the dung is of some use. It is a good manure for land; it is used in the process for bleaching linen; and poor women pick it up when it is dry, and make fires of it, to save coals.
CHAPTER II.
The Dairy.
Mrs. Mansfield, hearing how much her little grandsons had been pleased with the cows, after breakfast took them into the dairy, to show them what was done with the milk which those useful animals give in such large quantities. The dairy was a little room with a brick floor, facing the north, and kept very cool, by means of a latticed window that let in fresh air. It was necessary that it should be built in that way, because heat soon turns milk sour. Round the room were fixed a sort of trays lined with lead, which then were all filled with milk.
“Grandmamma, what is to be done with this milk?” inquired Arthur.