Covent Garden Marhd, 625 



quently this season ; added to which, the natural price occasioned by a 

 scarcity has induced many persons to forego the enjoyment of fruits. The 

 Consequences have been considerable fluctuation and veiy great uncertainty; 

 nevertheless, throughout the summer, the prices may be considered good. 

 Since my last, we have had, on the whole, rather favourable weather for 

 general culture ; and the fine weather has allowed the growers to bring 

 their fruit to market in good condition, which has contributed materially 

 to its value, and has not diminished its consumption ; but the alarm and 

 apprehension of cholera have prevented, very generally, the use of plums 

 and all other stone fruit. Jargonelle pears have been fine and large, which 

 may arise from the crop having been very thin on the trees ; of Windsors 

 there have been but few, and those of indifferent quality ; of summer 

 bergamots but few are cultivated, rarely bearing well ; of lammas pears 

 we have had a tolerable supply, principally from Cambridgeshire, which, in 

 the absence of better sorts, have sold well. Of Williams's, or the summer 

 bon Chretien, we have had but few ; but not being in such esteem as the 

 jargonelle, it never realises the same value. 



Apples, especially the summer and early autumn varieties, are very short 

 in supply ; but the prices have induced many to send them to market 

 before the proper season. A few red Quarrendens have been sent, but 

 principally from the immediate neighbourhood of London. Some Emperor 

 Alexanders have also been seen, but not in any quantity, or of the usual 

 fine and showy appearance they generally assume at this season. Hav/- 

 thorndens, which are usually' abundant, have proved in many cases a total 

 failure. 



Of plums the crop has been very partial ; in some situations altogether 

 deficient, and in others very good ; so that, on the whole, we have had 

 a tolerable quantity. The principal varieties furnished to our market are, 

 the early and old Orleans ; the green gage and several seedling varieties 

 of it, but none of which have the least pretensions to its peculiarly fine 

 flavour. Some very fine Goliath plums, of large size and beautiful colour, 

 have been sent ; but their flavour is by no means equal to that of the 

 Orleans. 



Peaches and nectarines have been supplied in good quantities and at 

 reasonable prices. We have had apricots in tolerable supply from the 

 neighbourhood of Oxford, and elsewhere. Grapes from the hot-houses 

 have been plentiful, and of excellent quality, at very moderate prices ; the 

 crops on the open walls are also good, and, should the present fine weather 

 prevail for a few days, will ripen well, and be in good condition for the 

 table, or for making wine. 



Walnuts and mulberries were, in most cases, so completely destroyed as 

 to forbid any expectation of supply ; the former have been substituted by 

 an ample importation of most excellent quality from Ostend and other 

 places, which have met with a ready sale. 



From the frequent prevalence of rain during the summer, and the inter- 

 vening fine weather, vegetables have been in good supply. Onions, cucum- 

 bers, carrots, turnips, cabbages, coleworts, spinach, &c., are furnished in 

 large quantities, with the prospect of ample supplies throughout the winter. 



Potatoes are reported to be an excellent crop, and in great breadth ; 

 consequently, we may expect the markets to be well supplied at a moderate 

 rate. This vegetable, despite of Mr. Cobbett's aversion to it. appears to 

 be one of the most important articles of culture known at present in this, 

 country. 



Covent Garden, Sept. IG. 1831. G. C 



Vol. VII. —No 34. s s . 



