Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-18
THE CITY MARKETS.

I'M. AND aTAin1 IN FLOUR TRADE-
OTHER FEATURES OF THE WEEK.
No material change has taken place in the
city markets. with the exception of a weaken
i'm tendency in the potato trade: scarcity of
apples; advance in poultry. and a dizziness i'm
the flour trade. There are several causes which
have contributed to the weakening of the price
of potatoes; one is the increased and continued
importation into the now well stocked markets
Another cause Ia the prevailing impression
among the dealers that when the surplus stocks
held for seed by the farmers through Northern
New York. the states of Michigan. and Ohio and
Canada where the crop was comparatively good.
finds its way into the markets, that there Is
likely to be tumble in the prices cause
which has contributed somewhat to the present
weakening of the market. is said by some of
the dealers. to be more general economy Of
the use of the potato, especially among the
farmers themselves, who, to a considerable ex-
tent heretofore. have fed them out to their live
stock. This has been avoided the present sea-
sen.
The large quantities used in the manufacture
OF starch when the seasons have been prolific
and the markets cheap have been withheld from
such use and everything in the potato line has
been attracted to the markets by the prospect OF
high prices.
IMPORTATIONs OF POTATOES.
Within the last two weeks not less than 40 900
'eoor Ochtshiuiu., HUM tSO W TWO ana u Hail
bushels each, have arrived by steamers in New
York, and not less than 10, 600 bags have arrived
In Baltimore, besides the large quantities which
have come to other ports wherever ocean steam
ers land: and although the sales have been
ready decline of from 5 to 10 cents per bushel
has resulted. TheX are still arriving by every
steamer and it is said that the rural districts of
Ireland. Scotland and other potato bearing
countries swarm with farmers on their way to
SpanOrt towns with
to America. There will no doubt be very large
quantity OF seed potatoes put in the ground the
coming spring. and much seed will be in de-
mand The native potato is preferred to the for
eign. The "early rose" and some other favOrite
kinds are already in demand for seed purposes,
and 1t is likely that much of the imported stock
Will be used for the same purpose. The favor
ties among the imported kinds are the Scotch
champions and Irish champions" These it
is said, were originally cultivated plentifully in
this country. and although discarded for years
have become the fayOrites in those countries
where they have proved to be of superior quail
ity The recent decline is generally regarded BY
dealers as temporary, and brisk sales are autici-
pated until the season is over.
imported potatoes are now selling in jobbng
ana wholesale lots from steamers i'm New York
almost daily from % to 30 cents per bushcl, and
| importers say there is no money in them at
THESE prices after the freight is deducted. At
the same time native potatoes are selling to
the same dealers from 81 to = % per bushel
they being much preferred for their appearence
and flavor.
FOREIGN POTATOES IN WASHINGTON.
The sales by the jobbers in this city of the for
eign article is much in excess Of the native
about ten bushels of the former to three of the
latter. The Scotch and Irish are at the present
time most plentiful in New York, which is the
great market in this country. The native kinds
now sell in this market, in jobbing lots, from
II % to S1.35 per bushel. While the standard
weight at retail is So pounds to the bushel the
weight prevalent by the wholesale dealers and
JoDOefs here is the same as elSewhere-GO pounds
to the bushel. This universally established
weight was changed by our Old feather duster'
legislature it is currently said by the dealers at
the instance Of
"POTATO RING
which had corner in the market, and among
the members Of the ring were some members of
the legislature. The retail dealers ever since
this law has been in operation have enjoyei the
benefit of buying by the sixty pound rate and
selling at the fifty six pound rate
OTHER FEATURES OF THE MARKET.
Sweet potatoes are on the RISE and are now
held from 81 .5Oas5 per barrel Turnips are also
on the rise; they are now sold in jobbins lots
from SiaS45O per barrel Tor white and 81. so for
yellow. The best kinds are known as the
Aberdeen and are of excellent quality for
table use. Caobages are also higher than ever.
ana the sales are necessarily slow and limited
They are worth SlSaS20 per hundred and are
small ones at that Apples are almost entirely
out OF the market. The few left rance from 81
to IS for good and 81 so to 81 80 for poor. and
sales very slow. Many of the dealers have
abandoned them altogether since the advent of
the foreign fruits
The sales Of foreign fruits have not much
changed, and sales are lively with onward ten
tencV Tor the sweet how
grows colder. The prices range from 50 IS to
% per box of 300 to 225 in each. Much foreign
iru!t. as well as apples, represented as being
shipped from the eastern and northern ports to
the west, where the prices generally range
higher in the winter season. Dried fruit is in
good demand. and sales brisk
Poultry is high. the best chickens bringing Is
cents. and small size turkeys Is cents at whole
sale: large turkeys somewhat less The recent
rise is said to be owing to the scarcity Most of
the supplies for this market come from the Viz
ginia valley. Fresh eggs are scarce and selling
from 80 to 80 cents per dozen in jobbng lots,
The tendency is upwards.
THE FLOUR MARKET
is weak and dull. Sellers are not much disposed
to make concessions, and buyers not much
Inclined to purchase at any price, except to fill
orders This apathy is accounted for from the
TACT that the foreign markets are we'll supplied
and the outlook is rather tending towards lower
y iOoS- ihe "uoIcSaie price IOr Minnesota
Patent aed some other fancy brands is 80; other
grades OF various patent process are $780, good
standing brands of family, 81 trade family
So %. and extra. S62
There is not much demand reported for grain
and the markets generally are demoralized in
consequence Of the p!ethoric state of the for
elgn markets. Very little grain comes to our
District markets other than to the GEORGETOWN
mills.
The hay market is dull and the supply plenti-
fS n To-
and timothy. Sl1aSl9 per ton.
Butter is selling at jobbing lots at As cents;
prime. 4Oa42 fair to good. 35a37: imitation
creamery. 34a36 New York fine. 32ai2: western
dairy, 35as7; western factory. 34a36; do second
grades, 81; virginia. Maryland and Pennsyl-
yania fine. 2Sl:S2 for choice and poor to GOOD
i1r 2o'lSo Western and Virginia choice roll, 3Oa
QUOTATIONS. FOR FRESH AND SALT MEATS.
Fresh Meats ct Jo1biay Rates-Beef is selling
per hind quarter from 11a,2 cents. and front
ones 'aS; veal, l2]s CENTS fresh pork, SAG per
Whole hog; fresh loins, II; spare ribs, IL; sau-
sage. 1ial2-
Sd@ Nedts-Beef. Sale; pork, 11a12 There
n