Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02
BARRICADE OF
VEGETABLE5

HE scene Is IN and around the
Center market. The darkest part
OF the night has passed and the
II light OF the still unseen sun ts just
breaking onto the place. 1t is 4
o'clock In the morning. the opening hour for
the market. On all sides there Is an uproar
and apparent confusion. 1t is as busy as
the New York stock exchange during bull
raid. Even at this early hour the curb
along street between It'll and 18th streets
Is we'll lined with wagons OF all descrip-
lions. and around each of them is a group
of people, consisting mainly of only two,
sometimes Of five six, all busily engaged
In taking out the contents of the wagons.
1t is one of the most interesting and attrac-
tive scenes to be seen in the city: and yet
few of the inhabitants of the city have
actually witnessed II. 1t is too early, to be
frank. for the modern Washingtonian.
Time was when the head of the home or
the good housewife. with a basket on his or
her arm, would come to market soon after
II opened. shortly after daylight. But that
generation of early risers seems to have
all passed beyond. leaving not that trait to
their descendants. So that now, when the
purchaser of supplies for the family visits
the market for the supply of fresh vege-
tables. at o'clock or even at 10 o'clock, she
6ndS many ChOiCe articles sui remaining TO
be sold In that former time the business
of the market was practically over at
o'clock. But now that hour marks only the
beginning of the retail trade on the curb,
the beginning of the busiest time of the en-
tire market day. 1t is a change which IS
characterizing the entire business world CT
the country and is not confined alone 10 the
Local market.
just as New York city Is the gateway to
this country for the products of Europe, and
San Francisco is the gateway for the prod
ucts of Asia. so also the Center market in
this city is the gateway 10 the 100000 in
habitants of Washington for the products OF
fresh vegetables and fruits of the surround
ing agricultural territory. The market must
be understood to include not only the deal
ers I'm the brick building fronting on Penn
sylvania avenue between 9TH and 9th streets
northwest, but also the large number of
farmers and truck gardeners who swarm on
the curb along street between It'll and
18th streets.
On account OF the immense amount Of
business that is now done within this small
confine. the market continues practically
from midnight on Sunday night until mid
night on the following Saturday night. Sun
DAY is the only day that sees rest and quiet
reigning over this section of the city; ard
even that day now, In some necessary
cases. Gods law for the Sabbath is trans
crossed. Although Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday are known as the market days, a
goodly number OF dealers can be found
doing business along the curb on Il street
on every morning. 1t Is a veritable con-
tinuous performance nowadays.
About quarter to IL on Sunday right
every week In the year the wagons begin 10
arrive on y street. The strict laws of the
market forbid the use Of the curb or street
by the marketmen earlier than II O'Clock
Sunday night: but there are always some on
Fl al. -.
curb The positions obtained on Monday
morning can usually be held throughout the
week, so that it is desirable that a good po-
sitiOn be obtained that evening. The wagons