202 ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 



incautious. It buys only twice in the year, to the extent of 109 

 quarters, for which it gives 202 is. \d., i.e. 37^. id. the quarter. 

 The Eton average is 46 s. lod. Mendham gives a long dated series 

 between December and September, with an average of 36^. 6d. The 

 Oxford rents in wheat are at an average of 40^. i\d. The market 

 averages are at 37^. 7|</., and exhibit few fluctuations. At Oxford 

 market the average price of barley is 26.?. ^d., but D'Ewes sells at 

 22s. 4d. The Cambridge malt rents are at 26.?. i%d,, those of Eton at 

 34.?. 4d., those of Oxford at 26^. g^d., the market average being given 

 for two months only, May and June, when it is 28^. The price of wheat 

 and malt go down steadily through the year. Oats are rather cheaper, the 

 Cambridge average being 13^. 2\d. Oatmeal, from Mendham only, is 

 very cheap. Rye is found, and nearly for the last time, when its 

 price is proportionate. Peas are found only at Biggin and Cambridge, 

 at lower prices. 



1639-40. The price of grain is still falling. The Cambridge 

 wheat rents are at an average of 28s. 8f</., the price rising again as the 

 year closes. The bakehouse purchases i48qrs. 2 bshs. for 184 6s. 8d. } 

 at 26s. 8d. the quarter. The Eton average is 41^. $d. The New 

 College purchases are at 40^., the prices rising notably in the last 

 quarter, and flour corresponding. The Oxford wheat rents give an 

 average of 36.?. 2d., the second All Souls price indicating the later 

 rise. The Oxford market averages are at 32^. of </., and a short series 

 from Mendham in spring and summer shows an unchanged price 

 at 36^. But for the rise in August and September, the decline in 

 price would have continued all through the year. Barley and malt 

 are much cheaper. The Oxford average of the former is 17^. 8^d., 

 on D'Ewes' estate 17^. 4^. The Cambridge malt rents are at 2O.r. %d., 

 the Eton rents at 27^. 8d., the Oxford rents at 2is. 8%d., the 

 market averages being at 21.?. 6d. Oats are a good deal cheaper, the 

 Cambridge average being 12*. i\d. Oatmeal too is cheap, and the 

 crop must have been abundant and good. Peas too at Biggin and 

 Cambridge are cheap. I have not taken those of Mendham into my 

 averages ; they are plainly garden peas, and one entry is virtually so 

 described. 



1640-1. Prices have distinctly risen, but not so much in Cam- 

 bridge as elsewhere. The wheat rents at Cambridge give an average of 

 35-r. 4d. The bakehouse purchases, in amount 154 qrs. 3 bshs. and in 

 cost 260 17^. 2d. y are at 33 s. $\d. But the Eton rents are at 53^. 

 New College buys at 48^. during the first three quarters, and at 

 42s. 8d. in the last. The Oxford corn rents and assises are at an 



