Some are of Opinion, that _October_ is the best of all other Months to
brew any sort of Malt in, by reason there are so many cold Months directly
follow, that will digest the Drink and make it much excel that Brewed in
_March_ because such Beer will not want that Care and Watching, as that
brewed in _March_ absolutely requires, by often taking out and putting in
the Vent-peg on Change of Weather; and if it is always left out, then it
deadens and palls the Drink; yet if due Care is not taken in this respect,
a Thunder or Stormy Night may marr all, by making the Drink ferment and
burst the Cask; for which Reason, as Iron Hoops are most in Fashion at
this time, they are certainly the greatest Security to the safety of the
Drink thus exposed; and next to them is the Chesnut Hoop; both which will
endure a shorter or longer time as the Cellar is more or less dry, and the
Management attending them. The Iron Hoop generally begins to rust first at
the Edges, and therefore should be rubbed off when opportunity offers, and
be both kept from wet as much as possible; for 'tis Rust that eats the
Iron Hoop in two sometimes in ten or twelve Years, when the Ashen and
Chesnut in dry Cellars have lasted three times as long.




CHAP. XVII.


_Of Cleaning and Sweetening of Casks_.


In Case your Cask is a Butt, then with cold Water first rince out the Lees
clean, and have ready, boiling or very hot Water, which put in, and with a