1873.] COVENT GARDEN MARKET. 371 



the ton ! Emit is carefully packed in punnets, sieves, boxes, or ham- 

 pers, and generally reaches here in good condition, some of it being of 

 the very finest quality. Here, in the "Grand Row," may be seen 

 Pines, Grapes, Peaches, Figs, and Melons, of superlative excellence, 

 fit to grace the dining-halls of royalty : rare exotics from every clime, 

 either loose or tastefully arranged in bouquets, perfume the atmos- 

 phere, and enliven the stands of the florists. Orchids, Roses, and 

 other flowers — the choicest productions of a thousand gardens — here 

 find a ready sale. Fruit and flowers of the very best description may 

 be readily disposed of in Covent Garden at first-class prices ; but 

 mediocrity does not pay so well, being more largely represented. 

 Many gardeners who live at a distance have been disappointed at the 

 prices realised by their agent in London ; but I have invariably found 

 that really fine fruit or flowers fetch remunerative prices, if sent early 

 in the season, and carefully packed. The florists and fruiterers allow 

 a better price for a regular summer and winter supply than for occa- 

 sional samples ; and in forwarding to market, care should be taken, in 

 the first instance, to secure the services of a respectable agent or sales- 

 man. The demand for fruit, vegetables, and cut-flowers is pretty 

 regular throughout the whole season, but prices vary greatly in propor- 

 tion to the supply. Among the "stuffs' at present in the market, we 

 may notice some extra fine Tomatoes, and Asparagus of good quality. 

 Decorative plants in pots are here by the thousand, forming, as they 

 do, a distinct and rapidly increasing branch of the florist's business. 

 They consist for the most part of Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Ericas, 

 Carnations, Heliotropes, and Spiraeas. British Ferns also figure largely 

 at this season of the year. Pot-plants are grown to great perfection by 

 the market-growers near London, and are brought to Covent Garden in 

 fine condition, packed in light spring- vans. The plants are arranged in 

 tiers, one above another, and rarely suffer injury during transit. One 

 notable feature about the decorative plants brought to the London 

 market is their being grown in such small pots. Xice, bushy little 

 plants, in large 60's or 48's, profusely covered with blossoms and un- 

 opened buds, are very readily sold, either by wholesale to the decor- 

 ators, or retail to private customers. The finest fruit and flowers are 

 in the handsome shops of the Central Avenue, and here the connoisseur 

 with the most epicurean proclivities may obtain satisfaction in the way 

 of choice fruit and vegetables in season. The bouquet department is 

 always attractive, especially to fair visitors; and the most consum- 

 mate taste and skill is evinced in the making-up of these fragrant 

 souvenirs. Any one with taste in this direction may here study from 

 the best of models ; and all of us who are in any way engaged in the 

 decoration of conservatories or apartments may gain much valuable 



