The stand shows an advert for a local trader, H. Burroughes of Bressingham. He was a well-known miller, as well as a trader.

 

The wooden stand comes apart into two sections – a desk and a cupboard, resting on a base. In the cupboard there are shelves, which were used to stand the samples of the crop being offered for sale.

 

Within the base there is a pull-out platform for the trader to stand on, this had the effect of raising him above the people in the hall, allowing him to keep an eye on everyone, including both farmers and other traders. They needed to see who was moving from trader to trader to obtain a better price, and to identify which trader was offering better prices for the crops on offer.

 

The trader would examine the samples of the crop offered by farmers or other traders in the following ways:

 

The quality of the crop.

They would test how ripe it was to make sure it would mill properly into flour, or animal feed. Also making sure there were no bugs, flies, or stones within the sample.

 

The level of moisture within the seed.

To make sure it would store correctly and not go mouldy, thereby rendering it unfit for consumption by either humans or animals.

 

The quantity of the crop.

This would also make a difference to the price the trader was willing to pay. Small yields would make less money, and more work for less profit.

 

These are also the criteria used by farmers today when selling their crop.

 

Corn markets were held on Fridays in the Corn Exchange from 1855.