Guernsey pictorial directory and stranger's guide : $b embellished with numerous wood-cuts — John Shaqi
Guernsey pictorial directory and stranger's guide : $b embellished with numerous wood-cutsBellamy, Thomas, of Guernsey
History
Guernsey pictorial directory and stranger's guide : $b embellished with numerous wood-cuts
Bellamy, Thomas, of Guernsey
Guernsey (Channel Islands) -- Guidebooks
_Vraic_--Is sea-weed, and is eagerly sought after by the farmers, both as
fuel and manure for their grounds, than which, they uphold nothing can be
better. The ashes, as a manure, are certainly unrivalled, and so
appreciated are their value, that "no sea-weed, no corn," has passed into a
proverb. They are sold at about 1s. 6d. the Guernsey bushel.
_Weights and Measures._--The pound is two ounces more than the English;
thus, twenty-eight ounces Guernsey, are thirty and a half avoirdupois. The
weights at the meat-market are under the direction of the States. They are
of solid brass, beautifully bright, with their numbers engraved on them,
and are locked up every night by the clerk of the market. Defalcations of
weight in meat, butter, or bread, is punished with a heavy penalty, and if
among the butter women, the whole of their stock is seized by the constable
whose duty it is to investigate the matter, and confiscate it for the
benefit of the town hospital.
_Wheat, Oats, and Barley._--The red wheat is preferred on account of its
producing heavier crops, and being less subject to the ravages of small
birds, which are very numerous here, especially sparrows. Wheat, during the
last twenty years, has been about two-thirds of the price at which it has
been sold in England. In the summer of 1830, wheat was twenty shillings per
quarter, Guernsey measure; whilst the price in England at the same time was
sixty or seventy shillings per quarter. At one time, the rigorous corn-law
was about to be extended here; but the inhabitants bestired themselves, and
succeeded in warding off the terrible blow, for which they were greatly
indebted to the exertions of the late venerable Baillif.
Barley generally follows wheat, and is considered by agriculturists of an
excellent quality, so much so, that when Quail wrote, one would have
thought that it was chiefly used for bread. It is sold to the brewers for
malting, at 3s. the Guernsey bushel, (56 lbs. English.)
Oats and rye are not much grown, as they are obtained on the Continent much
cheaper than they can be raised, and in respect to the keeping of a horse
are much more reasonable than in England.
_Wood for firing._--In the country, may be obtained at the following
prices: liberal sized faggots, consisting of ash, elm, or apple tree, fetch
from 18s. to 1l. per hundred. Should a still greater moderation of price be
regarded, old ship planks in the neighbourhood of the pier may be had.
Norwegian and Swedish deals, twelve feet long, nine inches broad, and three
inches thick, are sold for 2s. and 2s. 6d. each, or 15l. per 120, as there
is no duty on them, or any other kind of timber.
[Illustration]
THE STRANGER'S GUIDE;
OR,
WALK ROUND THE ISLAND.
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