Our observations, last week, on the prices exacted for maize
by some venders in London have drawn a degree of attention which is likely to do good. A correspondent of the Times, who writes from Liverpool—the same whom we mentioned as having bought maize-meal at lid. per pound—al- luding to our remarks, supplies some further information- " Here it [maize-meal] is still sold at seven pounds for ls., although the very best qualities may boa shade higher; but you can buys single barrel (196 pounds) from 28e. to 30e. When in town in February, I was surprised to see American soda biscuits only in one or two large Italian warehouses, and ticketed at 9d. per pound; while at the same time they were selling in every baker's shop here at 4bd. ! This kind of bread has nearly supplanted all the various kinds of pastry and cakes which used to be largely consumed; and for which every one seems thankful except the apothecaries. To give you an idea of this trade, I enclose an advertisement of a sale held today. The retail price is still only 6d. per pound." We have also received a letter from Messrs. Edwards, Brothers, of the Albion steam-mills in the Blackfriars Road, disclaiming for themselves the high prices that we mentioned. We do not object to set forth the state- ment of Messrs. Edwards, because we think it right to encourage those who are honestly labouring to build up a trade that will be most useful to the country, and also because our correspondent's letter !applies a con- firmation of our own impression as to the pretext for the higher prices- " We have for the last three or four months been manufacturing and selling the finest qualities of meal, hominy, &c. at from 2d. to 2hd. per pound, and now are selling it at 2hd.; and as the market recedes, we shall offer it still lower. Direc- tions for use are always given gratis.
"When potatoes first were diseased, we tried to bring maize into use in this metropolis, n1 tabu-flied and introduced it to many of the dealers: but as fami- lies could not be induced to try it, many of the dealers returned what they had as unsaleable; and the remainder, doubtless fuiding the demand so very limited, have asked high prices.
"At the present time, but very few of the dealers will purchase it; but as the demand increases, they will do so, and be satisfied with much less profit. The present market value in London is about 21s. per hundredweight; therefore 2hd. per pound cannot be justly termed a fancy price,' nor a ferthing a pound an enormous profit,' when the sale is small.
"We beg to offer for your acceptance a few samples, and also send a copy of directions published two years since: more modern recipes we have now printing. Any further information we shall be happy both to give and to receive." We have received the samples mentioned by our correspondents, but have not yet found opportunity to submit them to practical judgment.
We especially approve of the last remark in the letter, because informa- tion is the thing most wanted : ignorance, we suspect, is the most imme- diate obstacle to the growth of a vast trade in so cheap, wholesome, and nutritious an edible.
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