The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31
THE MARKETS
OF RICHMOND
Always Well Supplied With the Best
That Can be Had.
THIS IS The DULL SEASON.
Country Carts Galore Gather Near the
Markets and the Hucksters 0ffer
Their Tempting Wares at a
Small Toll To the City.

During the week Just previous to
Christmas the Richmond city markets
were the largest and most completely
supplied that have been known here for
a number of years, and the prices were
cheap-very moderate in every line.
Since Christmas the markets have been
very poor, and the prices higher than at
any time this year. on account OF the
small number OF country carts that have
come into the city.
The markets in Richmond, as In all
other large cities, are under the control
OF a special Council committee, being the
properly Of the city. and all the revenues
derived therefrorn are turned into the
city treasury
CLERK OF THE MARKET.
Each market is under the direct super
vision of the clerk OF the market who
has charge of seeing that everything Is
carried on according to orders, and VINO
sees 10 the renting out OF the stalls and
the collecting of the toll from the ooun-
try carts who sell their produce on the
sidewalks. The stalls rent from $40 per
month down, and the carts from the
country are charged 10 cents a day for
the privilege OF displaying the goods on
the sidewalks. but II the country people
sell directly from the carts, they do not
have to pay this toll, which is merely
used to pay the expenses of cleaning up
The trash and garbage which OF necessity
will be left around the curbstones.
The market clerk collects the cart toll
and in return gives the cartman ticket
which entities him to the use Of the side
walk, and to show that the toll has been
paid.
The butchers and hueksters who rent
the stalls pay their rent monthly at the
| city treasurer's office, and only have 70
| deal with the market clerk when they
| desire TO rent the stalls.
| COMFORTABLE STALLS.
Both the First and Second markets are
| divided into two sections. The main
| building, which is built OF brlck, and di-
/ vided into large, comfortable stalls, Is
| occupied by the butchers and meat men
| The hucksters' department is in the rear
| OF this, and here the highest-priced stalls
: rent for about IS per month. In all the
| markets the hucksters' department Is
| the larger, az every variety of Vegeta-
| bles, fowls and game are sold here. and
| the country carts do their selling mere
| also.
| I'm the rear Of the hucksters' stalls, nj
/ the First market, is the fish market
| where every variety OF fish and oysters
| is sold and this makes the First the
| largest market in the city.
| MANY COUNTRY CARTS.
] Richmond Is always thronged witt
| carts from the rural districts. In sum
I mer they are mostly selling melons. and
! IN the winter fowls and late vegetables
F, form their stock. These carts Away
| make their headquarters at one OF the
| markets, where they exhibit their wares
| In great piles At the First market. on
| DAYS in the latter part Of fall and just
| prior to Christmas, it Is almost impossi'
| BILE to travel along Franklin street or
/ account OF the large number OF carts
| which line the curbstone and the piles
| of vegetables lying thereabout.
The Second market is being overhaul
| ed and reprinted from end to end. The
| interior OF the meat market and the root
| of the vegetable market is being painted
| dark lead color. and when finished WI
| add greatly to the appearance of thif
! establishment.
The Richmond markets are very com
| plete and very comfortably arranged. and
| everything in season can always b
| found in their stalls. which are kept as
clean as any pantry.