Covetit Garden Market. 617 



times determined by the supply, but depending in a great measure on the 

 demand, which, in the case of ripe fruits, is increased by the state of the 

 weather, the consumption being increased by fine and warm temperature. 



Pears of the commoner varieties have been sent from the lower counties 

 in great abundance. Jargonelles have not been a general crop, though in 

 some places plentiful. Windsor pears have been very fine and large, and, if 

 possible, with less than their usual flavour ; but in consequence of their size 

 and showy appearance, have met with ready sale, Williams's Summer Bon 

 Chretien has not been by any means in such supply as in former seasons, 

 and is at all times very transient and of limited demand. 



As a proof of the improved state of culture prevailing (which may be 

 fairly attributed to the increased means of communication, by the pub- 

 lication of the remarks of individuals, through the means of the Gardener's 

 Magazine, and other cheap and useful periodicals more particularly devoted 

 to the purposes of improvement in agriculture and horticulture), may be 

 remarked the early production of the larger varieties of carrots, such as the 

 Altringham, now grown extensively in Bedfordshire ; the Studley variety, 

 and the Surrey or Long Orange, entirely superseding the older varieties of 

 the Horn and the Short Orange in our market ; the latter one still gene- 

 rally cultivated for the provincial markets, more particularly those of the 

 north of England and Scotland. French and scarlet beans, which, in the 

 early part of the season, promised a most abundant return, have in a great 

 measure failed, in consequence of the prevalence of so much wet. This leads 

 me to remark the change of taste in the public with regard to vegetable 

 productions, in now preferring the scarlet runners to the dwarf varieties. 

 Formerly the scarlet beans could not be disposed of on any terms in the 

 London markets. The same change of taste has taken place in favour of 

 the Green Artichoke, which is now preferred to the Old Globe variety, that 

 hitherto had been exclusively cultivated. 



Some interest is necessarily attached to any thing which may be offered as 

 a new vegetable. Indian corn, or maize, has been hitherto well known as 

 an ornamental plant, rather than as one of extensive utility ; but many of 

 its valuable properties have been somewhat exaggerated by a very popular 

 political writer. Several varieties, amounting in all to more than twenty, 

 have been cultivated by Mr, Poynter of North End, among which that so 

 strongly recommended by Mr. Cobbett is to be found, which is neither more 

 nor less than the variety extensively cultivated in Nova Scotia and New 

 Brunswick ; of which I have by me good specimens, grown from seed im- 

 ported from Halifax in the year 1822. A more dwarf variety from Egypt, 

 with corn almost ripe, which will grow freely in rows not more than 

 12 in, or 15 in. apart, is also to be observed. The remainder are principally 

 of the tall varieties, among which may be enumerated the Eai'ly Flint, the 

 Long Island White, the Meat and Sugar Corn, with the Pearl Corn, evidently 

 a distinct species [?]. This, in the present season (very unfavourable), gives'no 

 indication of fructification, but would yield the largest quantity of succulent 

 herbage, if required for that purpose. The green corn should be in season ia 

 August, to supply, in case of an extremely dry season, the deficiency of peas 

 at that period ; to obtain which it will always be necessary to sow it on a 

 very moderate hot-bed in April, and transplant it in May : but this would 

 present no difficulty, where labour is so readily obtainable ; and should 

 drought prevail at the time of planting out early in May, a crop for general 

 use might be obtained from dibbling in the seed. A very considerable mis- 

 take appears to prevail with respect to the quantity generally expected in 

 return as a crop per acre. I have had opportunities of observing it in 

 America, and I have made enquiry of my friends there, who are in the habit 

 of cultivating it extensively, and cannot find that, under very favourable 

 circumstances, it ever yields more than sixty bushels to the acre. Should 



