120 Covent Garden Market. 



Observations. — The remarks in the last Number (Vol. V. p. 741.), re- 

 specting the probable result of the extreme wetness of the season, have 

 been fully borne out. The supplies of coleworts, savoys, and other vege- 

 tables, have not been abundant ; consequently, very fair prices have been 

 obtained, which have been considerably advanced by the setting in of the 

 severe frost during the last fortnight. The prices marked in the list may 

 be considered not only as the extremes, but as indicating more particularly 

 the change produced by the alteration in the weather ; in which, should 

 any sudden alteration take place, an equally rapid depresion in prices might 

 be expected. A very material difference now exists in the metropolitan 

 markets respecting the purchase of very many articles from what obtained 

 formerly. When such articles as broccolis, sea-kale, asparagus, coleworts, 

 turnips, and other choice vegetables, from whatever cause it may arise, 

 become scarce, the prices readily assume a maximum, which has the effect 

 of throwing them out of immediate use, and very generally there is no fur- 

 ther demand or even enquiry for them until the prices again assume a 

 moderate rate. To speculate on the cause of such difference might be 

 foreign from the nature of these observations, but I think it may be fairly 

 attributed to the diminution of resources among the mass of society, and 

 the appropriation by the richer classes of then - incomes to other enjoy- 

 ments than those of the table, and the hospitalities heretofore exercised by 

 them. 



The supplies of apples have been very abundant ; but in consequence of 

 the reduced prices, not so great as the crop would have indicated, the ex- 

 pense of carriage from the remote counties consuming, in some instances, 

 the whole produce of the inferior sorts, the better varieties only bear a 

 remunerating price, but so totally different from what has been sometimes 

 obtained, that I cannot forbear stating an instance or two. Old Golden 

 Pippins, which have brought 42s. per bushel, and even 84s., now produce 

 10s. or 12s., and not in demand at that price; fine Old Nonpareils, former 

 prices 30s. to 50s. per bushel, now at 5s. and 10s., and could not be sold at 

 all if held at a higher rate. Is this attributable to the change in the relative 

 value of money, as it regards articles of more immediate necessity, or deter- 

 mined by the same cause as that I have intimated respecting vegetables ? 



Our potato market has not been so freely supplied as usual at this season, 

 which may, in a measure, be accounted for from the circumstance, that the 

 quantities necessary for the amazingly increased consumption of the metro- 

 polis has rendered it essential to look farther off for a supply, and, being a 

 heavy article, it must be conveyed by water ; consequently, a much larger 

 quantity is obtained in that way than formerly, when only the Yorkshire 

 Red-nosed Kidney used to reach our market by that channel. Now the 

 trade on the Thames is so much increased in this article, that vessels from 

 the remotest parts of Scotland are constantly to be found with ample sup- 

 plies. From this I conclude that the delivery from the river is more 

 immediate than through the medium of the public markets, as heretofore. 

 Shallots and garlic have become very scarce and very dear ; a small supply 

 of the former has been procured from France, but with some difficulty ; 

 from which it would appear that the prevailing wet throughout the summer 

 on the Continent, as well as in this country, has been unfavourable to then- 

 growth. Onions come to hand freely, but obtain fair prices. The growth 

 of celery has been much deteriorated by the excessively wet season, which 

 shows that superabundant moisture is not necessary to it in its cultivated 

 state. Formerly nothing but the Italian white variety was esteemed in the 

 London markets ; now the solid-stemmed sorts are considered best ; and 

 those grown upon fresh soils are found to be of superior quality, and most 

 in demand. The supply of turnips has been good, and the prices moderate 

 until the late severe frost set in; since which the prices have advanced 



