December 24 , 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
531 
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CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES. 
C OMPARED year by year at the same period the collective 
supplies in our large central markets do not vary so much 
as might be expected. It is true that the seasons have some 
effect upon certain classes of produce, but this is met to a great 
extent by the increased facilities and speed of communication, 
not only with other districts of the same country but with distant 
lands, which contribute so largely to our requirements. Scarcity 
or failure of any particular crop in one place only, therefore, 
seldom has any material effect upon the chief markets, and even 
in the course of a few days it is astonishing what a change can be 
produced by telegraphic and other communication. Thus, on one 
market morning there may be a great scarcity of some special 
article, yet the next market may be almost glutted with it. This 
characteristic, common in some degree to markets generally, is 
especially noticeable in Covent Garden, which is undoubtedly the 
most representative market of horticultural produce in the world. 
But notwithstanding the variations in supplies in ordinary weeks 
there is such a concentration of effort to meet the enormous 
Christmas demands that the supplies are always large, and at no 
time does' the market present a more uniform or more animated 
appearance than a few days before the great festival of the 
year. It is not merely interesting as a spectacle either, but 
many an important lesson may be learnt there if those “ who 
run would read;’’and if many of those who supply the markets 
but depute the selling to others would pay a visit occasionally, 
they might by close observation gain innumerable valuable 
hints. 
In glancing at the leading characteristics of the Christmas 
supplies in Covent Garden, and passing for the moment the decora¬ 
tive material which occupies so important a position at this time of 
year, the fruits demand a few words. One of the most striking 
features to a stranger is afforded by the numerous auction sales of 
imported fruit, and it is a matter for surprise first as to how such 
quantities can be disposed of, and secondly as to what becomes 
of the home-grown fruits. In the main portion of the market 
itself, and in the spacious Floral Hall, thousands of barrels 
of American Apples have been received, sold, and dispatched 
within the past few days—bright, even, well selected, and well 
packed fruits that would command purchasers anywhere, the 
Newtown Pippins and Baldwins being the favourites, the 
former realising from 15s. to 16s. 6d. at one sale per barrel, 
which is somewhat less than is usual for this variety, as it generally 
leads. 
Side by side with the American Apples in the other portion 
of the market were bushels of English Apples, and the contrast 
was almost painful ; irregular, unselected fruits seemingly shot 
into the baskets without heed or care—handsome fruits and 
rubbish intermingled, with the result that a very low average 
only could be taken. Certainly there were exceptions, in which 
every care was manifest both in packing and selection, but 
unfortunately they were only the “ exceptions ” that proved the 
rule was the opposite. It is the one great defect of home growers, 
and however the culture may be improved or extended it will 
never produce adequate results until these cognate important 
matters receive due attention, and it is surprising considering 
how much has been said and written on the subject that more 
No. 600.— Vol. XXIII., Third Series. 
effect has not been produced. Mr. Thomas Meehan has lately 
referred to the American system of packing in these words :— 
“It is interesing to note how a very small fact, when clearly 
perceived, will lead to great commercial results. No one knew 
better than the fruit grower that when an Apple was bruised it 
would rot. When, therefore, Apples first became an article of 
commerce, and were packed in barrels, they usually arrived at their 
destination rotten because of the bruises they received in transit; 
but when it was discovered that it was the action of the atmosphere 
on the bruised portion which caused decay, and that a bruise, if it 
did not expose the interior of the Apple to the atmosphere, was of 
no great consequence, then the transportation of Apples became a 
business. We may now take an Apple out of a barrel, squeezed 
into squares, hexagons, octagons, and all manner of shapes, with¬ 
out the Apple suffering any material injury, because the pressure 
causing the bruise is of such a character as not to crack the skin ; 
in fact, the great success of Apple transportation consists in pressing 
them thus tightly into the barrels. It is the exposure to the 
atmosphere of the interior portion of the fruit, and not the bruise 
in itself, which causes decay. This principle may perhaps in time 
be applied to other fruits. Recently fruits have been separately 
packed in paper, but possibly a slight pressure to the fruit in the 
case, as given to the Apple, which will pack them tightly together 
without causing the outside coating to crack, would do just as well 
as the paper enclosure.” 
Thoroughly good English Apples have been realising sub¬ 
stantial prices, and at this time it is impossible to obtain sufficient; 
but it cannot be expected that poor English fruits will be pur¬ 
chased in preference to good foreign samples. It is rarely that 
patriotism goes so far as this, and it would surprise some to have 
seen indifferent specimens of Cox’s Orange Pippin displayed at 
6d. per dozen in the middle of December. Pears are more 
restricted in quantity, but French and Channel Island fruits are 
represented by fine samples. 
The Grape business is important and rapidly extending, large 
quantities of the finest black Grapes in the market now being home 
grown, and here we see something of the style that is wanting in 
the hardy fruit department, for the Grapes are carefully packed, 
neatly set up, and reach the consumer in a really tempting form. 
Channel Island Grapes are also abundant, and the supplies of 
Almeria Grapes this year are coming to hand in exceptionally good 
condition. There is thus a wide range of quality to select from, 
the prices from Is. 6d. per lb. upwards, some professedly English 
Grapes being as low as 2s. per lb. Pine Apples have been in request, 
and they have been imported by thousands. Indeed, a few days 
ago one consignment of over 6300 was received at Covent Garden, 
many being grand fruits which would not disgrace the best of 
British cultivators, and that would some years ago have realised 
fabulous prices. Now this aristocratic fruit is within the reach of 
nearly all classes. Oranges are uncommonly good this season, 
affording a pleasing contrast with those of last year, and they are 
now coming into the market in abundance, as also are the Nuts of 
all kinds which constitute so essential a part of Christmas fruit 
supplies. 
Green vegetables have been very plentiful this autumn, and 
even now there is an unusual supply for the time of year, while 
the prices have been fairly good, this being one department in 
which the home-grower has little to fear from foreign competition, 
except as regards the early silading and Asparagus. Cabbages, 
Savoys, and Brussels Sprouts are good, while the ordinary root 
crops—Carrots, Parsnips, and Onions—are similarly satisfactory ; 
but a large portion of the latter are imported and sold as Bordeaux 
Onions. A small quantity of Asparagus and Seakale is noticeable, 
and the early forced Rhubarb is also fairly plentiful from York¬ 
shire and el-ewhere. Around London the latter is being taken up 
more extensively than formerly, and one market grower in the 
Mitcham district recently received a consignment of ten trucks 
(4 tons each) of roots for forcing, and five others will be required 
to complete the season. 
Amongst what may be termed the decorative material the 
No. 2256.—Vol. LXXXV,, Old Series. 
