The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-23

the outgoing OF every penny.
The condition of the roads in the sur
rounding country, whence come most of
tho supplies to this market, is bad to an
extreme, and it is questionable IL they
will be passable between now and
Christmas.
But few wagons were at the market
yesterday and the prices of the goods
they brought were higher than usual.
A noticeable feature was the absence
Of fresh pork. The butchers have not
killed for day or two and relied this
morning upon country supply to sus-
tain tho demand, but tho country peo-
pie who did come in brought no pork, as
they did not care to weight their wagons
with anything but vegetables.
Prices ruled rs follows:
Poultry, otc.-Turkeys. live. 81 and
So each; dressed, IS cents per pound
chickens, 20@ 35 cents each; rabbits, 10
cents each; quail, 20 cents each; squir-
rels, 10 ccats each. Butter, 25@30
cents per pound; eggs, 80 cents per
dozen. The supply of these articles is
be seen that the prices range higher
than usual.
OF vegetables there is Scant supply
and active demand, which has resulted
in putting prices up notch, with a
further increase dependent upon the re-
ccipts OF tho day via the country roads.
Sweet pota toes arc rated ut 80 cents
per peck Irish potatoes tho same;
onions, 80 cents per peck; celery, 5
cents per STALE, caulitiowor, Is cents
per head, with = small supply OF . very
fine quality quoted at - cents "a head.
There arc practically no cabbagcs on
the market. and what few remain on
hand bring large prices. Tho same may
he said Of other green stuff. Beans
and peas. however, are plentiful and
bring about the usual price.
Fruit is exceedingly scarce. But lit
tie choiGo in apples remains upon the
market an hour after opening. as they
ever price they may be held ut. Some
fairly good ones were TO be obtained
yesterday at so cents per peck.
Other articles were held at the fol-
lowing higher prices than usual: Gran
berries, 20 cents per quart; oranges, 40
to 60 cents per dozen; grapes, 20 cents
per pound; bananas, 30 cents q dozen
for an inferior quality.
Some supplies are now hcing received
by rail and the opinion is expressed by
many merchants that the present dcarth
of produce will result in new method
of handling that necessity. It's ship
mcnt by rail will DO largely increased
and commission houses will lie cstab-
lished to handle country produce. sell
ing both for people who bring it to town
in wagons and those who ship it Ey rail
This would result in on even supply
throughout the year and at prices CON
trolled less by Indictment weather than
by tho usual law of supply and demand
While this condition OF affairs is not
reassuring to the lover OF material
creature comforts, they need not despair,
as the hotels and leading restaurants
have provided an abundance Of good
things. Ordinarily the hotels and res
tuarants depend largely upon the local
market for their supplies, but in times
like these, when everyone looks for
sOmo added luXurics 10 their bill OF
fare, these caterers to the general pub
lie vie with each other in their holiday
spread.
In accordance with the time honorcd
custom, the various hotels have set
about preparing a feast for guest and
sojourner which will satisfy at once the
most critical and the most epicurcan.
The noble fowl which disputes the
eagle its title OF bird of freedom the
great American turllcy-holds the place
of honor as the piece dc resistance of
tho Christmas spread, and about him
will be grouped, but not subordinated.
the Wild ducks and other fowls.
Tho finest outside display over seen
in Roanoke is to be Witnessed at
Ormsby's Cafe. Here, hung about the
rni1 hn t.,i1l Il
swans, wild geese, and wild ducks CT
various kinds. Within may be seen the
other components of an epicure's ideal
repast. Mr.. Ormsby's fame as caterer
has spread far and wide down the val
ley, and in response to general do
mand he has provided series of bills
Of faro for the holidays which will
leave nothing to be desired. The
domcsticaled turkey will be entirely
ignored by the chef of chefs, Lewis. the
Oloagenous, who is a master Of arts in
the most practical and important of
arts-cookery.
The range of variety is so extensive
as to bewilder one. 1t en- braces the
wild turkey, which assumes the place
OF its generally preferred tame cousin
and Chesapeakcs famous wild ducks,
canvas back, red-hcad and blue peter,
will contest the honors with him. 10
this base will he piled high pyramids of
the most famous delicacics. Tcrrapin,
which George II. Butter was wont to
say was dream OF bliss, will be given
a prominent place. A brunswick stew
of wild swan or rabbit may be had OH
call: the squirrel will be offered up to
Christmas appetites. The sea will pay
tribute in bass, smelt and trout, and
splced beef, roast beef and lamb roast
and English plum pudding sill help to
make the partakcr regret the limited
range OF his appetite. And to it all
rare wine Will add the zest ungiven Of
.,.Nntito