December 25, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
553 
P ERHAPS in no better way can an adequate idea of the 
enormous population and great extent of London be formed 
than by visits paid to the principal markets at times when the 
demands and supplies are specially large. Every season possesses 
particular characters, but it is doubtful if at any period the general 
supplies are so remarkable as in Christmas week. The spring 
months and during the London season are distinguished by greater 
abundance of flowers ; the early summer gives wonderful quantities 
of soft fruits, especially Strawberries, followed later by the 
Cherries and other stone fruits ; while in the vegetables we have 
Peas contributing for some weeks a special feature of much 
interest. These are, as it were, only episodes in the market history 
of the year. At Christmas there is a concentration of supplies, the 
home productions being largely increased by the importations from 
other countries, for that great inducement—the best prices—are 
then obtainable for all seasonable produce of good quality. So it 
is that no better time can be selected for a visit to a representative 
market, not only in the metropolis, but in any of our chief 
provincial towns, where these emporiums have developed con¬ 
siderably in recent years. 
Covent Garden Market is rightly regarded as one of the best 
and most characteristic establishments of its kind to be seen in 
-Great Britain, for there can be found at any season the choicest 
productions of the vegetable kingdom employed by man for food 
or ornament. Thousands of tourists in London every year 
include this market in the “ sights ” of the city ; but they usually 
visit it during the day or evening, when comparatively little 
remains to indicate the business transacted. They may, it is true, 
find some of the auctioneers, who dispose of imported flowers or 
fruits, busy and noisy amidst a crowd of eager bidders. They 
■can also see huge piles of baskets, boxes, and other packages, that. 
give some idea of what has been or is to be done. Possibly they 
may visit the spacious new fruit market, and observe barrels of 
American Apples by the thousand, or cases of Pine Apples almost 
as numerous ; but if their visits are later than 9 a.m. the great 
plant and flower market will be closed, and the practical, or what 
may be termed the principal business of the general market is 
closed. To gain anything like an approximate idea of Covent 
Garden it must be visited at early morning, and on several 
■occasions at different seasons, and then those who are interested 
in the work of the world will find ample to astonish, to interest, 
and to instruct. 
Few except those immediately concerned have any accurate 
knowledge of the manner in which business is conducted in Covent 
Garden. Many fancy that to hold a stall, stand, or shop in this 
•market is a kind of hereditary privilege, and that outsiders are 
rigorously excluded ; but this is far from being the fact, as when¬ 
ever there is space anyone can claim the right to sell in accordance 
with the rules, and on payment of the dues or tolls. There are, 
however, something like GOO persons who have shops, stalls, or 
stands, either temporarily or for longer periods, and these, with 
their assistants and others, must bring up the total, exclusive of 
buyers, to about 2000 persons who are on every market morning 
actively engaged in the business. It is not generally known, too, 
what a broad distinction is made between growers who are also 
sellers and those who only sell what they have purchased from the 
No. 548.—Vol. XXI., Third Series 
producers. The growers are given precedence as regards the choice 
of situation and application for space, while the others, termed 
“higglers,” have in a great measure to take their chance, and that 
is usually an outside position. Then also as to the collection of 
market dues. In the case of shops and stalls or stands a rent is 
paid daily or for longer terms according to arrangement. Upon a 
large quantity of the produce brought in for quick morning sale, 
however, tolls are charged at the rate of ^d. to l^d. per barrel, 
basket, package, or in whatever form the particular fruit or vege¬ 
tables are sent in, for it is to these that this method specially 
applies. For instance, a barrel of Onions or a barrel of American 
Apples and a basket of Watercress contribute the same amounts 
to the income of the Duke of Bedford—namely, Id. each. 
But the main object of these notes is to point out some of the 
leading features of the Christmas market, and first to be considered 
is the fruit, which in all respects constitutes one of the most im¬ 
portant parts of the business. Apples, of course, take first rank, 
and here we learn that English Apples are very scarce, and long prices 
are required for good samples of choice fruit. To compensate for 
this deficiency American Apples have been sent by hundreds of 
barrels, as, though the crops in the United States were not so good 
as usual, the prices here paid well. It is said that some of the 
dealers in foreign fruit have had a most profitable season, and 
42s. per barrel is mentioned as the rate obtained for Newtown 
Pippins. Pears from English gardens are still more scarce than 
the Apples, but from France and the Channel Islands come plenty 
of fine fruits, especially baking or stewing Pears. 
Pine Apples constitute a trade in themselves, both to growers 
and the dealers. Shiploads of these, with Oranges, are sent from 
St. Michaels, where the cultivation of these fruits is now an 
important industry. Handsome fruits are sold for a few shillings 
which not many years ago would have brought at least four times 
the sum. Some home-grown Pine Apples still find a place in the 
markets, but only the best fruits for special occasions. In the 
large Floral Hall, a new fruit market, at times we have seen 
astonishing displays of imported Pine Apples—hundreds of cases, 
opened and arranged along the floor, in preparation for auction 
sales, presenting a spectacle such as could probably not be seen 
elsewhere. 
Grapes are in demand at Christmas, and here our own growers 
have a chance of competing with advantage. A high authority in 
the market says, “ The Grape business is only in its infancy,” and 
this piece of information will come as a welcome surprise to those 
who are familiar with the enormous quantities produced at 
Worthing, in the north and east of London, besides the great 
establishment at Clovenfords. It indicates that the demand is still 
greater than the supply, but as the latter is increased the prices go 
down, and then it becomes a question whether the cost of produc¬ 
tion, carriage, and sale can be covered. There is good indication 
that late Grapes pay better than early ones, because the cultivators 
for market are concentrating their attention chiefly upon the 
former. At the present time the major portion of the supplies 
consist of Alicante and Gros Colman, with Muscat of Alexandria 
and Lady Downe’s in smaller quantities. Of the two first named 
neatly packed baskets are sent and sold by thousands during the 
busy season at fairly remunerative prices. In addition to •these j 
however, we find the Spanish Almerian and Sweetwater Grapes 
in liberal supply, the former of which arrive packed in barrels and 
the others in boxes, furnishing abundance of good fruit that can 
be sold at moderate rates, and though not equal in quality to 
the home-grown Grapes they are very useful. 
Oranges have already been noted as coming in quantities from 
the Azores ; large consignments are also received from Spain and 
Portugal. Nuts constitute an essentially Christmas feature, and 
are obtained from many widely separated countries. From the 
West Indies and South America come Cocoa-nuts and Brazils in 
plenty ; small nuts, including Barcelonas and Almonds, being 
. No. 2204.—Yol. LXXXIII., Old Series 
