ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 189 



siderable difference in the quality of the grain this year. Very 

 numerous entries of flour at Theydon represent purchases at not 

 much more than the Cambridge average, and less than corn prices 

 elsewhere. Here we may conclude that the old custom of purchasing 

 flour was retained. Barley is found at Theydon in December and 

 July at high rates. Malt is relatively not so dear as wheat. It is 

 24s. g\d. at Cambridge, 26s. at Eton, 24^. %$d. at Oxford, and 26s. Sd. 

 all the year through at Theydon. Oats have been found at Biggin at 

 1 6 s., Cambridge, entries made nearly all the year through, at 14*. iod., 

 and Theydon at i2s. i$d. The price of this kind of grain declines as 

 the year goes on. Beans have not been found, but peas have in three 

 places, the price not being other than natural. 



1 6 1 4-5. The price of grain is falling. The wheat rents at Cambridge 

 are at an average of 34^. id., while the bakehouse purchases, 325 qrs. 

 7 bshs. 3 pks. in amount, and 470 15*. iod. in cost, are at 23s. io$d. 

 During this and the next year a farm account of Cranfield, afterwards 

 finance minister to James, and Earl of Middlesex, has been discovered. 

 The estate was managed by Cranfield's father. The entries, from March 

 to September, are low, at an average of 29,$-. o^d. The price at Eton, 

 37*. 4</., is unchanged through the year. The Oxford average is 

 341. 5$</. The price at Theydon is very high, 43*. ^d., and seems to 

 point to a local scarcity. Barley is also dear at Theydon, the only 

 locality which supplies a price. Malt is 24*. ^d. at Cambridge, 26,?. 

 at Eton, 23*. at Oxford, these being maximum prices. It is dearer on 

 Cranfield's estate, 23*. 5</., and at Theydon, 27^. g^d., and these facts 

 suggest again a local scarcity. Oats are cheap at Theydon, 13^. 4</., 

 and Cambridge, 13^. iof</., dearer on Cranfield's land, i$s. S\d. The 

 first and the last supply a price of oatmeal, the comparatively low 

 price of this suggesting that the oat crop was good. Beans are found 

 at Oxford, and at ordinary prices ; peas more plentifully, the average 

 at Cambridge, where entries are numerous, being i6s. $Jd. 



1 6 1 5-6. The character of this year is almost identical with that ot 



the previous year. The Cambridge wheat rent average is 361. 3J</., 



that of Eton 40*. Sd., that of Oxford 39*. 2</. The bakehouse 



purchases at S. John's amount in quantity to 286 qrs. 3 bshs. 7 pks., and 



ost is 465 3-r. gd. t an average of 32*. 5 J</. But the Cranfield 



sales are at 31*. 2\d., those of Theydon at 33*. Sd. The entries 



contain one from Harting, the seat of the ancient family of Caryl, 



where the price in the winter is only 26*. 8</., this place lying near the 



pshire side of Sussex. Barley found at Theydon is a little 



cheaper than it was in the last year, while malt is rather dc 



