Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
VEGETABLES ARE SCARCE
Owing Largely to the Long-Oontinued
Drought
The Features of the Market and the
Variety which f. offered to
the HOusekeeper.

Persons familiar with the Center market
and the luxuriant profusion OF the good
things OF life IL usually presents on a Sat
urday morning at this time of year were
Struck today by the poor appearance of the
vast structure, so far as fits contents were
corcerned, especially in the long central
wing, which is given up to the vendors of
vegetables, fruits and produce of that char
acter. There was something else that was
also noticeable, and this Was the small num-
Der OF wagons along the b street front and
the other thoroughfares adjacent 10 the
market, which usually occupy every inch Of
available space. and present to market goers
an excellent opportunity for securing bar
gains H. vegetables fresh from the farm
vi course, there was no lack of a supply
necessary Tor the demands Of customers,
put instead OF great piles of fresh and in
yiting-iooking vegetables there were only
small quantities on the stands, and these
were held at prices almost as high as those
which obtain in the early spring for the
fresh products from Florida. Georgia and
the south, which come in 20 take the place
OF the winter canned goods. The reason for
TINS state of affairs at the Center market Is
found In the six simple letters that compose
the word drouth. The recent rains which
managed To save from utter destruction tbs.
corn crops In the contiguous states of Mary
lahu ana virginia, were not sufficient 70
resuscitate the scorched out vegetation
which. had the season been nronitious
would have been ready for market at this
uIne. ana the consequence is that fresh
tnIngs are scarce and prices are high. A
stroll through the market Ibis rnornior-
found good business beins, Transacted IN
spite OF these drawbacks, and refill prices
while nuctuating slightly, were found 20 be
a so,a as follows: Tomatoes very az cents a
peck, lima beans. - cents a duart: corn
Is cents a dozen; sweet potatoes 90 CENTS a
peck; irish potatoes, IS cents a peck and
cabbage, 10 and II cents apiece for moi par
uouisay desirable heads. Cymblings were re-
msrkabiy pl -ntiful' and sold four for Z
cents, while egg plants and beets were a
nickel apiece ana a bunch reSpactiv.,v
Onions We're Y cents quarter peck. and
cucumbers, - cents dozen Fruit was
very high for this season of the vear
ar 10 middling peaches Commanded 70
Sts quarter or a peck. Concord grapes
y cents pound, with the Delaware va
riety cents higher, while medium-sized
native watermelons brought from - TO H,
cents each, and cantaloupes 10 and *
cents apiece Apples were nigh, at Is cents
peSk Ior varieties that loo~ed particularly
collcky, pears, of which there were a good
many Bartletts in market, IS cents a peck
ana pineapples brought u and 20 cents
each. There was great deal OF poultry
displayed, but the dressed fowls looked thin
ana uninviting. Chickens were Is and IN
cents pound for the best while duck
brought 10 cents. There were a few turkeys
displayed, but no call for them. The fish
market was brisk, and low prices prevailed
except for white perch, which were scarce
and commanded IL cents per pound AT one
fish stand Chinaman was offered a fine
bunch Of butter fish, which look like small
founders and have a flavor something like
that of a pompano. for % cents. bur he re-
fused to give more than Is, and satisfied
himself with two pounds OF sturgeon meat
for l2lz cents each TaylOrs and blue fish
were and 10 cents a pound, fresh mack
erel. l2i1 cents; rock fish, 10 to Is; sea bass
10 TO l2bz; salmon trout. 10. hslibut. -:
punched trout. 10 cents a bunch, and weak
fish, 10 cents a pound The butter market
was strong on its retail side. Philadel-
phia print commanded ~ and ~ cents for
the best, while the excellent grades brought
30 and 81. Native cheese was - cents a
pound and American sweitzer brought -
cents per pound. There was limberger in
market also. but no one had the hardihood
to inquire its price. Eggs brought Is and
20 cents a dozen. while selected ones COM
manded - cents. Beef was plentiful. and
the butchers did a good business. Prime
roast was Is and 20 cents; porterhouse
steak, 70 and %; tenderloin Il and -. AMI
veal. 10 and H. according TO the cut Nut
ton was Is cents a pound and lamb 10 and
20 Corned beef was sold at any quantity
from to Il cents a pound. There Was but
little fresh pork displayed, and l2ls cents
pound the price asked, while linked
fresh sausage brought 10 and Il cents, and
sausage meat. smoked sausage. bologna and
similar lines of goods were 10 cents a
pound. Ham was sold at - cents. while
away around on the b street side OF the
market profuse quantities Of the gladden.
ing soul-inspiring tripe were sold TO all
corners at the even price OF cents per
pound.