The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-23
MARKETING LORE.

The Chicago Record tells OF The teach
Ing of one housewife who prided herself
on her ability 10 determine the quality
OF things at ths grocery and the meat
market, hut always felt that she was at
the mercy OF the dealer whenever she
bought mushrooms Fastidious Cousin
Sally had come TO visit her from the
East, and she knew that Cousin Sally
never ate meat when she could get mush-
rooms. SO she went TO a downtown deal
er ga delicacies and said she wanted
pound OF the fungi
These" said the dealer. pointing TO a
basketful of mushrooms on the counter
"are as fine as any We ever have ham
died, We get 81 a pound for them
That's what they all say remarked
the housewife, but the mushrooms are
not always what they are represented 10
be. Ia give n good deal to be able 20 tell
sound fresh mushroom when l sea
one"
ITS the simplest matter on Garth"
said the dealer The color OF mush-
room has very little to do with 1t. one
should Judge by the condition OF the
scales. or gins. as they sometimes are
called II the scales are uniform In APP
pearanoo the mushroom may be consid-
cred healthy and good to eat II, how
ever. they are curly and irregular. the
mushroom probably is diseased"
The housewife thanked him, and began
To examine some peas I'm the pod which
were in a basket on the other end OF the
counter
They look fresh" she said, az she
ran her gloved hand through the peas;
you may send me Two quarts of them
I'D rather not sell them TO YOU" said
the dealer. they're not as good as they
might be However they are not uniit TO
eat"
Il don't think l ever. saw better peas In
my lIfe" said the housewife, surprised at
the dealers confession. She had begun 10
trust him.
AN expert" said the dealer, could
have told by running his hand through
the peas that they were not first class.
They do not crunch enough To suit me.
Good. fresh peas always SOUND like the
wheels OF a heavy wagon on frosty
street. when the hand squeezes down on
them"
This was news 10 the lady, and. being
o. an inquislfive turn OF mind, she pro-
dealer. She remained in the store for
half an hour, at the expiration OF which
time she had learned the following:
Green peppers are good when they are
glossy, and are OF "A poor quality when
they are dull i'm appearance. The harder
they are the better.
Watercress is good when tho leaves are
large. The size OF the leaves indicates the
amount OF tissue--strengthening chlor-
ophyll--in them.
Tomatoes are good when they are hard
and OF a color midway between dark
pink and red.
Pineapples are Judged by the condition
OF their green tops. III the tops are OF the
saw-edge variety the pineapple Is not OF
the highest quality. Pineapples are good
when the edges OF the tops are smooth
Celery is good when IL breaks without
much bending. The more flexible the
stalk the more reason 1t should be let
None.
voranges are sound and Juicy when they
are OF good weight They should not be
too hard.
Radishes are not nt to eat II they are
epongy.
Judge turnips as you would radishes:
Head lettuce, II soft and yielding. should
not be bought Good head lettuce IL hard,
the leaves being firm set. You must take
chances In buying leaf lettuce.
Grape fruit should not DE too yellow
nor too hard. If IL Is OF good weight. yell
lowish green and heavy, II is full OF Juice.
Green beans should not bend too much
without cracking.
Asparagus should be quite stifY
Nuts shou4l have good weight The
weight. however, does not always deter
mine the quality OF the nut. The only
sure way OF judging a nut Is to crack Il
open and taste 1t.