PRICE OF PROVISIONS. 



$f 



In order for a companion, I iliall add the prices of aiy Eng- 

 lifli tours. 



The Southern Tour 1767, 

 The Northern Tour 1768, 

 The Eaflern Tour 1770, 



Average of the three, 

 Ireland in 1776, 



Average of the four meats in England, 3|d. 

 Ditto in Ireland -*- - 3^d. 



Ireland to England as 1 1 to 14. 



I friould remark, that there has been very little variation in 

 the prices of meat in England fince the dates of thoie jour- 

 nies : the rates in Ireland are higher than I conceived them, 

 and do not from cheapnefs afford any reafon to conclude that 

 country, as far as cattle extends, to be in a ftate of backward- 

 nefs. The whole of thefe minutes, however, concerns the 

 home confumption only, for as to the immenfe trade in beef and 

 pork (of which hereafter) their rates are confiaerably under 

 thefe, as may be fuppoled from the greatnefs of the fcale, 

 in like manner as the confumption prices in England are near 

 double thofe of the victualling office. 



Poultry being fo extremely cheap is owing to feveralcaufes: 

 Firft, The fmallnefs of the demand ; the towns are few, final!, 

 and poor ; and all gemlemen's families raife a quantity for 

 themfelves. Second, The plenty of potatoes, upon which 

 they are fed, being vaftly greater, and difpenfed with lefs 

 ceconomy than the corn in England, upon which poultry is 

 there reared. Third, the extreme warmth of the cabbins, in, 

 in which the young broods are nourifhed. Fourth, The na-i- 

 tural produce of white clover, which is much greater than in 

 England, and upon the feeds of which, young turkies, in par-r 

 ticular, are advantageoufly fed. I know a gentleman in Eng- 

 land, who reared an amazing number of turkies and pea- 

 chicks the year his lawn was fown with white clover, but the 

 foil being improper it lafted but one year, and he neither be- 

 fore nor after had fuch fuccefs with thofe broods. 



SECTION 



