Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-24
A COSTLY CHRISTMAS.
Much Longer POcketbOOks Needed
Than for Many Years Past.
PLENTY OF GOOD POULTRY TO EAT,
But the Trimmings for Turkey and Goose
Are Pretty Dear.
SOME PREPARATIONS FOR TOMORROW


served now from the fashion in vogue in
Merrie England in days of yore, is still an
occasion OF merriment and feastIng, but the
menu has undergone radical change, and
the distinctively American bird has sup
planted roast bee; capon, mince pie, plum
pudding, and coffee, tea or chocolate largely
take the place of ale and cider. England,
as well as the United States, has adopted
the turkey for Christmas.
The gastronomv of tomorrow will be
more extensive than on any former occasion
in these cities and county, for people gener-
ally have been we'll employed and have
money to spend, and the population has
been largely increased in late years. But
the feast will cost more than on any occa-
sion since the days of resumption of specie
payments.
Commission men do not expect to handle
as much poultry as they did on the day be-
fore Thanksgiving and during number of
subsequent days, and they express them
selves well satisfied with the prospect of
small supplies, as poultry became nuisance
following Than ksgiving Day.
LARGE ARRIVALS OF TURKEYS.
But though commission men may not
handle so much, the aggregate arrivals from
the nearby county are unusually large, the
sellers disposing of it themselves in the pub
lie markets or to hucksters and retail gro
GERS, and wanting prices above those paid by
commission merchants. On the Montour
Railway alone, but II miles long, as
Montour Run runs and but seven as the crow
flies. there were between ], 800 and /, 900 tur-
KEYS brought in yesterday, to say nothing of
geese, ducks and chickens.
In England, goose and apple sauce are on
the bill of fare on Michaelmas Day, but
in this country tastes are omniverous, and
not so conventional as in the land where
precedent reigns, and we take to turkey,
chicken, duck, goose, or Irish turkey, in-
discriminatory, according to taste or power
of purse. The latter is by far the cheapest
meat offered, a % pound one being
procurable for S2.25 and S2jO.
The most conservative estimate places the
number of turkeys that will be eaten in this
county tomorrow at $1,000. This allows
ten people to a turkey. but there are others
who hold that the proportion should be five
TO turkey. and they estimate the number
of victims at 80. 900 to $4,000. Taking the
highest number, and allowing five to the
bird, would leave 5000 people to dine off
something else.
COST OF POULTRY AND GAME.
The cost of poultry will be about the same
as IL was previous to Thanksgiving Day,
and about the same as it was last year,
turkeys retailing from II to 20 cents a pound.
The same NAV be said OF game. Quail are
plentier, but pneasants (ruffle6 grouse) are
scarcer and dearer.
Trade was brisk in the Diamond Market
yesterday, and it was mainly in poultry.
Mrs. Hearst said she expected to sell 3, 900
turkeys alone. and other fowls were going
at the usual rate. There is an impression
that people are more given to the consump-
tion now of poultry than formerly, but
member o! Brahm g. Son stated that the
holiday consumption of beef, mutton and
pork is nearly twice what it was ten years
ago, so it appears peoples taste has not
materially altered, and the pressure OF
population on the limits OF the market
houses is what makes the consumption OF
fowl appear out of proportion. Poultry has
the cali, always during the holidays.
But while the main dish will not cost more
than usual of late years, the side dishes will
have decidedly specie flavor. Celery is
about twice as dear as it was a year ago and
cranberries are 33 per cent higher than then,
while those who dine off goose will find the
accompanying apple sauce cost about three
times wba: it did last Christmas.
The scarcity and cost OF fruit have caused
an immense demand for candy, which will
largely supplement the former.
Chris hringle's devotees will offer their
usual obligations, and, not satisfied with
the Diamond Market purvevors. have
sent evergreens 10 the commission mer-
chants Tor sale. Thomas MCGOWAN saws
they are nuisance, and he hoped this sea-
sons experience would satisfy consignors
that such stuff was below par on Liberty
street. 1t takes up too much space
TOAST BEEF A FAvoRITE.
That some people still anch ,r to roast
beet is evident by the fact that two butcher
ing firms have contr lcted for Jour oxen.
aggregating in weight about 10, 600 pounds.
and nearly all the choice pieces of these
bovine elephants have beea spoken for in
advance. 1t is the opinion of many peo pie
that meat will be much cheaper betwe en-
now and spring, hut the quality may not be
Of the best. Grain is high-priced and many
will slaughter their stock and sell it, and
the feed that would otherwise enter into it.
as grain at present prices, paws better when
sold in the raw state than when converted
into animal food-that is, it brings more
ready cash, though the land is robbed of
fertilizing material, the value OF which the
average American farmer has not vet dis
araA