[ ,6a ] 



frequently happened that an ounce of butter was 

 not to be got in town, unlefs on a market-day $ for 

 all the great dairies were under contract with the 

 London dealers, for all they make, at a fixed price, 

 which made it both fcarce and dear. At the time 

 Ihe faid this, there were ioo tubs of butter piled up 

 in the gateway of the inn, in readinefs for the Lon- 

 don waggons. Upon enquiry I found, the current 

 price was 7s. 6d. per dozen wholefale, and that the 

 town and neighbourhood was fupplied by fuch little 

 dairies only as were thought below the notice of the 

 wholefale dealers. 



A fimilar mode of practice is followed in regard 

 to cheefe. The great dealers in London long fince 

 instituted a club, and hold a weekly meeting to re- 

 gulate their affairs. They employ agents or factors 

 in Chefhire and Lancafhire, to buy up the cheefe 

 made in thofe counties, which is done by agreement 

 for whole dairies -, they have feveral lhips in their 

 employ, which perform almoft the whole carrying 

 bufinefs between Liverpool and the metropolis. 

 Not one of thefe fhips is permitted to carry fo 

 much as -a cheefe for any one but the company. 

 At their weekly meetings, they fettle the quantity 

 to be brought by each fhip, which they proportion 

 to the demand, being very careful that the town 

 fhallnotbe overftocked,,but kept rather hungry, 



as 



