Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-22
THE MARKETST0-DAY
WHAT CAN BE GOTTEN AND THE
PRICES CHARGED THEREFOR.
Henrico and Hanover theIyege-
tables and Melons Fruit Abundant
and Fish Quite Scarce.

The Richmond market is fairly Glutted
with fruits, vegetabl es, and melons, and
the result is that the merry housewife can
go to the market-houses this morning and
from bewlldering array of country-carts
select the most tempting embellishments
for her Sunday dinner without imagining
che IS paying an extortionate freight rate
from California or the North.
A woll-known produce commission mer-
chant yesterday said 10 n Drsp,rcH re-
porter: THE market, "a far as we are con-
cerned. is in q very had shape. Nothing at
all Il beng shipped here now, except few
watermelons, and these shipments will
cease after this week. Richmond ia now
being almost entirely supplied with pro-
duce from the country near by"
PEACHES IB ABUNDANCE.
Down on Cary street Yesterday the fruit
dealers had large supplies Of luscious
peaches, which were gong at from 3j to
so cents per basket Of half bushel
4 dealer said To the reporter that owing
70 the immense crop raised in Maryland
and Delaware Richmond had been sup
Piled with an unusual quantity Of peaches
this season. 1t Is estimated that from 800
TO 100 oa kets of this fruit are sold in this
CITY every day
Ip the market-houses they were retail
ing for aud 10 cents quart and no extra
charge for flavor and color. The most
paltable free-stone specimens will be
available this morning at the prices above
quoted.
THE MELON SITUATION.
There ore melons and melons. but there
Is no melon that touches the Hanover and
H'nrico product in point of pertectiod.
rs early az sundown last evening tho
bnwny- handed farmers began to drive
in'o the city from across the country. and
ere the bells from the towers announced
the midnight hour great piles or melons
surrounded the market-places like un-
bro'en chains Of little mountains.
Just think of t-largc thirty-pound
melons retailing from Is 10 % cents each
and smaller ones in diminutive propor-
ton.
Canteloupes are being sold Mt all prices
fiom to 10 cents and small ones even
cheaper.
OTHER TRUITs AND vEGFTABIFs.
Other fruits and vegetables are CORE
s,ondingly low. Apples and pears. grapes
ald bananas are to be seen in great abund-
ace. The frst-named fruit is being ssld
~ Wholesale dealers at so cents to 81 per
hrrel
The Virginia potato crop. rs far as has
ut been heard from, is very good. The
tarket is now being supplied from the
surrounding countries at Sl.2j to Sl.5O
ler barrel
A peculiar poultry ethic is the plan the
| commission merchants have devised. which
| lisposes OF live chickens bv the pound.
The retailer then averages the cost of his
! fowls and deals them ont 10 his customers
lat from 20 to 40 cents each, according to
Size, condition and age.
| The demand for butter is light and there
lis plenty in the market. Eggs can be had
lin abundant quantities at 20 and Il cents
per doZen-e one guaranteed.
Cahbages. tomatoes, cucumbers, and
vegetables Of all kinds are profusiye and
cheap.
A SCARCITY OF FISH.
There Is n noticeable scarcity of fish
upon tho market. Spots are going with
astounding rapidity at 30 cents dozen,
mackerel al - cents apiece. while the de
lci0us trout and sunfsh retail at 25 and
l5cents per bunch respectively.
SOtt-shell crabs are considered quite q
dellcary and are held at - cents a dozen,
while the hard-backs only command 80
cents for the same number. Crab meat IS
selling 20 cents per quart.
Country hams. shoulders, and strips, "a
veil ~ fresh meats of all kinds. can be
fOund here and there among the whole.