362 Covent Garden Market. 



when attired in elegant simplicity, than when covered with rags.' The 

 success of his endeavours not only awakens curiosity, but supplies his tables 

 with new and delicious fruits, and makes his parterres (too frequently filled 

 with inferior flowers) shine resplendent with new varieties of the most 

 beautiful tints and fragrance, thereby benefiting his neighbourhood and 

 enriching his country; for every advancement in art or commerce, nature 

 or philosophy, gives additional lustre to a nation's renown. 5 ' 



The exhibitions will be held at Mr. Mayfield's, Northwick Arms Inn, 

 Evesham. 



Art. V. Covent Garden Market. 



" The past winter has been one of the most severe which we have ex- 

 perienced for many years. During the month of February, and the first 

 fortnight of March, we have been very scantily supplied with vegetables ; 

 in February, coleworts were sold for from 10s. to 14s. a dozen bunches; 

 mushrooms, Gs. and 7s. a pottle ; and broccoli, from 6s. to 125. per bunch. 

 Towards the end of March, our Market has been better supplied ; and 

 April coming in free from frosty mornings, has brought vegetation very 

 forward, and presented a fair prospect of an abundant crop of fruit. In the 

 first week in April, hot-house grapes were brought to market by Mr. Brefett, 

 of Barnes, near Mortlake, and were sold from 205. to 505. per lb. according 

 to their quality. Forced strawberries are now coming in abundantly, and 

 these and other forced articles are selling pretty nearly at the prices mention- 

 ed in the table in your Encyclopedia (o/G.§ 7514). There have been some 

 jars of preserved green peas from Holland in the market, a thing not known 

 till last winter. The peas are gathered in autumn when nearly ripe, shelled, 

 put in small glass bottles which have been previously fumigated with sul- 

 phur, and buried five or six feet deep in dry earth ; so at least I am told by 

 a German gardener. They are selling as low as 3s. a quart, but are only 

 fit for stewing or soups." — (J.G., April 10th.) 



Art. VI. Calls at Suburban Gardens. 



Gunnersbury House, Major Morrison, May 4. 1826. — This is a very hand- 

 some villa, on a bank sloping to the south-east, commanding extensive views 

 towards London, and over the Surrey hills. The house is a plain but elegant 

 structure ; a conservatory is attached to it, and in front there is a terrace 

 walk, which forms one of the most useful and agreeable features of the 

 place ; it would be improved by appropriate architectural terminations, such 

 as alcoves, porticoes, or covered seats. Advantage is taken of an abundant 

 supply of clear water, to form a covered bath, supplied by a grotesque cas- 

 cade, within the building ; the basin of the bath forms the reservoir of a 

 jet on a lower level, from which issues a stream led along a pebbly bed, to 

 a considerable piece of water, which in the views from the house occupies 

 with excellent effect what painters call the middle distance. There are 

 many extensive and agreeable walks, through well wooded scenery ; some 

 large and lofty trees, and fine American shrubs. But the kitchen-garden 

 here is what for some years past has excited the great interest, from the 

 superior cultivation of the pine-apple, by Mr. William Johnston Shen- 

 nan. He grows them both in pits heated by tan and dung, without flues or 

 steam-pipes ; and also in hot-houses along with grapes. In one house, 

 erected last summer, the bottom heat is supplied by flues and steam jointly, 

 in the following manner : A vault is formed under the platform on which 

 the plants are to stand, in which a flue is carried round. Over the 

 furnace to this flue is a small iron boiler {fig. 90.) with a copper cover 

 from which a pipe of 2 or 3 feet in length, conveys the steam to the vault, 



