506 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



No description, however, which we can give, will con- 

 vey an idea to the mind of one who has never visited the 

 city, of the vastness of the quantity of food daily re- 

 quired to feed such a multitude as constantly dwell at 

 this great point of concentration, and that are coming to 

 or going from it to all parts of the world. 



Immense quantities of property at this season are lia- 

 ble to destruction from frost. Here may be seen a thou- 

 sand wagon loads of potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, 

 onions, cabbage, and other perishable vegetables, lying 

 upon a few boards on the ground under open sheds, with- 

 out any possible protection to prevent freezing. Upon 

 the wharves, and all around and under the market house, 

 and on the pavements, in front of produce stores, there 

 are hundreds of barrels of apples, also liable to be frozen 

 in a single night, upon a change of temperature as sudden 

 and severe as often occurs in this climate, before they 

 could be removed to a place of safety. 



The crowded condition of this market renders its want 

 of neatness more apparent — its want of almost every con- 

 venience, comfort, and capability, has been so long ap- 

 parent to all who are acquainted with it, they have ceased 

 to wonder at, or be disgusted with its miserable appear- 

 ance. Situated as it is, with a broad front upon the 

 river, what an ornamental, as well as useful, monument 

 of city pride might be reared here. 



The basement story should be made cool and dry in 

 summer, and proof against frost in winter. This should 

 be the vegetable and fruit market upon the sides of the 

 building; the rooms under the center being dark would 

 be used as store houses, for anything requiring an even 

 temperature, such as butter, lard, fruit, or vegetables. 

 The first floor should be wholly occupied for meats and 

 their kindred substances, upon roomy stalls with broad 

 aisles and railroad tracks between. This room should be 

 the perfection of neatness — fitted with marble tables and 

 Croton water; windows, and doors, wire-screened to ad- 

 mit air and keep out flies; lighted with gas, and kept 



