Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-03

From the RosfOn 7'raueler.
e LONDON MARKETS,

Among the chief places of interest, deserving the
notice of u stranger in London, is the principal
wholesale markets. One or more visits to each Of
these places VIII well repay any one Tor the time
spent. In Mark Lane is the far famed grain mar
| ket; at Billingsgate. the equally renowned fish
market; in Smithiield, the celebrated market for
live cattle; IN Newgate street the principal whole
sale market for beef and mutton; l.eaden Hall is
noted for lis eggs, pork, poultry and game; and
Covent Garden for fruits, flowers and vegetables.
Besides these, there are great many markets of 4
mixed character, and which occupy only second
rate place i'll the estimation of the Inhabitants
Such, for instance, is Hungerforl market, near
Charlng Cross, harrington market, Oxford market,
| the BOroughS, and Spttsields.
The Corn Exchange, i'll Mark Lane, erect
ed on the site of the old one, in tie wear 1922
| There are two spacious buildings adjoining each
other for the transaction of business. The market
is open three daySin the week, Monday, We'd
| ncSday, and FTiday-Monday heng the principal
| market day. The market is opened and closed at
stated times, AMI this is notified 10y the ringing of
| bell. The factors have their respective stands,
with the necessary articles of writing desk, and
with the various samples of grain exhibited in box
es or bags before them. The standard of measure
is the well known quarter, consisting of eight i'm
perlal bushels. The sale by sample is on many
accounts more eligible than by bringing the whole
quantity at once 10 the market; yet it is not with
out its defects.
dainty supplied with fish of every description and
quality han London. Turbot and brill of the H.
nest quality procured from the coast of Hollands
salmon in profuslon from the great rivers of Scot
land and Ireland; and nackerel, codfisn, Holsters
| and oysters, from the river Thames. The number
OF fishing vessels registered for supplying Billings
gate markets. nearly 5000. The immense qunti-
ties OF fish which these vessels bring to market is
| truly astonishing. To See the market to the best
advantage, should be there half past four
clock in the morning. He will then have little
time to inspect the various arrangements before the
market commences. Exactly at O'Clock the bell
nf Law lnuin No
stranger all seems confusion around him, but 10
those initiated it is order of the Strctest kind In
two hours the sales are chiefly over the fish trans
Tered to the carts i'll waiting, TO be conveyed TO all
parts OF London, and comparative quietis again
stored TO the market al BillingSgate.
There a:e also many fishing vessels employed
for supplying the second rate market at Hunger
| ford.
!SmithfeH Market is the greatest cattle market
IN England, perhaps in the word. Ii is principally
for fat cattle and sheep. Monday is the chiefmar-
ket day, Tuesday and Thursday are for the sale of
hay and straw, and Friday FOR the sale of such cat
tie as were left over from Mondays market. The
market opens at daylight at all of the year.
and closes at o'clock i'll the afternoon, al which
time every thing. sold or unsold, must be removed
The sheep are enclosed in pens rallied in with
wooden rails, about dozen in pen. The cattle
are tied by the neck to long ratings. The sheen
are placed in one part of the market, the cattle in
another. The cows, calves and swine occuDy
separate positions.
The manner of doing business is somewhat pc
culiar. The farmer having brought his cattle to
market, consignS them 10 the care of an accredited
salesman, who has regular commission upon every
animal sold. The sales are always for Gosh; the
banking houses in the vicinity render the usual ia
cilties for business. The commission for the sale
OF an OK is Sc cents: for sheep 16 cents. The
city receives toll of cents upon every beast ex
posed for sale, and d cents per upon sheep.
In the year 1912 there 175, 34T cattle sold in
this market, and ASS, 800 sheep. At the present
time it is believed that business to the amount of
half million of dollars is transacted here weekly
The value of the services of an intelligent, expe-
rienced and honest salesman is very great to the
farmer, and much beyond the compensation de-
manded. The character of a salesman for judgment
and integrity, is of the utmost Importance to him.
4 He is forbidden by law to purchase on his own &C
count He is familiar with the state of the market
the supply and demand, with the value of live
stock, and with the character of the men with
whom he has to eeal. Hence business is greatly
facilitated, and fraud prevented.
| Animals in Smithfield are almost always sold on
the hoof; but the price given is according 10 the
estimated weight of the four quarters when slaurh
tered. Theayerage weight of fat cattle varies from
600 TO 800 lbs; of calves six TO eight weeks old,
$50 lbs; of pigs 100 lbs; and of sheen 80 lbs.
Large hogs are never seen in the market