I2O POULTRY BREEDING IN 



fevery village has its weekly markets, where farmers 

 and their wives bring their produce for sale, in preference 

 to selling it at the farm-yard. The police regulations in 

 these markets are strictly enforced. The various products 

 are classified before the market begins. Each person is 

 bound to keep his assigned place, and not allowed even 

 to uncover his goods, and much less to sell, before the 

 bell rings, under a fine of five francs. At the ringing of 

 the bell, the bustle to uncover, the rush of buyers, and 

 the chattering, are worth while to witness. The dealers 

 and merchants take up their stand outside the market, 

 where they send all the products they purchase. The 

 seller has a ticket given him, with the purchase price on 

 it, and is paid on delivery of the goods at the dealer's 

 stand. It seems almost incredible to believe, that even 

 in some village markets, within two hours, such a vast 

 amount of business can be transacted with the greatest 

 order and decorum. Some merchants will purchase from 

 two thousand to three thousand pounds of butter ; others, 

 twenty thousand to thirty thousand eggs, or some thou- 

 sand heads of poultry, &c. ; all which are taken to their 

 warehouse to be sorted, packed, and perhaps forwarded 

 the same day either to London or Paris. I may add, that 

 the current price for every commodity is fixed and known 

 immediately after the market opens, and depends entirely 

 on the demand and supply. For instance, fat chickens 

 fetched four shillings each ; twelve eggs, sevenpence ; 

 butter, tenpence per pound, &c. 



For the foregoing information, I am mainly indebted to 

 Mr. H. Lindon, Jr., a most obliging gentleman, who rep- 

 resents at Lizieux the Messrs. Lindon Brothers & Co. of 



