The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-14
Our Spring Markets.

Our Spring Markets.
The season Of the Lenten fast, which this
year will outlast the present month. and
only end on the 18th OF April. Easter Sunday
coming on the 18th, always makes the de-
mand for fish lively during the first two
months OF spring. Fortunately the supply
Of the permitted food is usually sufficient to
keep its prices low at this season, and the
fasting Of the faithful. therefore may con-
duce to their pecuniary as well as their
spiritual advantage.
During the first week after Ash Wcdnes-
day there was a comparative scarcity 81
fresh fish in the markets, but within the
last few days, the weather having grown
much milder, they have been reaching Us in
large and increasing quantities, and the
prospect is that their prices will soon be- at
least as low as they ever have been during
Lent. OF the cheaper fish, there is now n
abundance Of cod and haddOck and Hound
ers at from to cents pound-good, solid
fish food at a small price. Smells are also
In plentiful supply. this being their best
season; but last week they brought Is cents
pound. Besides these we have shad from
the South, not Of the best quality, at from Is
10 Is cents a pound white fish at IS cents;
pickerel, an appetizng fish, at - cents, sal
mon trout at Is cents, and red snapper at
the same price. Soft clans are getting to
be plenty at from 81 10 - cents a hundred,
and sailed and smoked fish are Obtaiuable at
very moderate prices
Since the salmon fisheries Of Oregon were
developed, tho canning of salmon in that
State has been carried on 10 so enormous an
extent that fears are reasonably entertained
that the fish will become extinct there. For
instance, during the fishing season 90 1876
eighteen establishments ON the Columbia
River put up 42s. $50 cases, each case con-
tanning four dozen oue-pouud cans. Large
quantities Of salmon are also exported every
year from British Columbia, and unless the
river is replenshed, such wholesale taking
OF the fish will speedily result in the de-
struction Of the means by which the in
dustry hourishes Other varieties Of pre-
served fish are also in great demand at this
season, and salt mackcrcl and cod are
the staple food of millions OF people, es-
pecially in tropical countries.
Besides fish, our spring markets offer
much TO tempt the appettes both Of those
who observe the Leutcn fast and those who
put no religious restraint on themselves in
their eating. This is the season when fresh
vegetables begin 20 come in from the South
10 offer a welcome change of diet. Tie for
warding Of such articles OF food, raised es-
pecially for our markets from the Southern
States and from the West Indies. has for
years been an important trade; and II is
one too, capable Of being still further eX-
tended. Green peas from Florida are now
Oh hand, but the price OF them Is high
about $3.50 n half peck. 1t Is not worth
while, however. for anybody to pay the
money for them when the canned peas from
Baltimore and other places are so good as
they have been Of late years and can he
bought at very little above the price OF the
fresh peas in the height of their season.
They may lack the delicate flavor II the
little French peas which have been so long
and 50 extensively imported, but n they
are now put up they compare very favorably
with them. The great variety Of canned
fruits and vegetables obtainable in these
days, and their improved and improving
quality, indeed, make the work Of the
caterer for Lenten dinner far easier than
1t was in former years, and a man may
scrupulously abstain from meats at the times
OF fasting, and yet sit down to meals COM
posed OF unprecedented food which would
tempt the appetite OF the most exacting.
Bermuda potatoes are on hand though
not in large quantity, and are selling at 60
cents the half peck; and peachblows, also
In limited supply, fetch from $500 10 500 a
barrel. Sweet potatoes may be had at 20
cents for half peck, and turnps, spinach,
squash, watercresses, oyster plant, onions,
beets, parsnips, and carrots are sold at
moderate prices, while Boston LETTUCE brings
only from TO ~ cents a head. There are
also Bermuda and Nassau tomatoes, not
equal 10 our own in flavor at 81 cents a
quart beets from Bermuda at 10 cents n
bunch; dollhouse cucumbcrs-and no one
need envy those who are able 10 purchase
them-at 25 cents each; dollhouse radishcs
at 5 cents bunch and other vegetables
raised under glass at prices not high,
Thus the markctcr has a great variety OF
fish and vegetables this spring TO choose
from and he will also md the supply OF
native and tropical fruits large and THEN
cost usually very moderate Eggs, another
article Of food much sought after in Lent
are somewhat higher than they have been
though they still sell at prices below thos,
Of many former years The best bring from
- cents to Is cents n dozen, and the packed
eggs from long distance fetch about 2,
cents dozen.
The cattle market has lately been dull