The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-23
FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
Marketmen Give Orders for Large
Quantities Of Produce.
Reports That Prices for Nearly All
Necessities VIII BE Higher Than
Last Year Because of the Prosper
Hy-Turl<eys Scarce mt Present.
Potatoes the Only Cheap Vegetable

Thanksgiving Day viii be unusually late
this year, falling as it will on November
30; but, notwithstanding this fact, the
Wholesale merchants doing business at the
Centre Market have completed arrange
ments for supplying the delightful eata-
bles that are always In demand on this
great feast day
A walk through the market today re-
vealed to the eyes of a Times reporter an
products arranged in the most attractive
manner. 1t also revealed the fact that the
cost of many of these tempting fruits and
necessary vegetables will command a
higher average price over last fall, the re-
suit the dealers say. of the general pros
perity of the country, and consumers seem
not to object
Some staples are, fortunately for those
who do not anticipate a great deal in the
way OF luxury, below the average price OF
last year. Among these may be mentioned
potatoes. Very good potatoes. Michigan or
New York. may be had now for 30 cents
bushel. and Virginia and Maryland sweet
potatoes fetch but SIZE a full-sized bar
rel. New Jersey sweet potatoes command
greater price and there are but few Of
them in the city.
The great Thanksgiving Day luxury. tur-
key, has not yet arrived, except IN very
limited quantity. 1t is too early for the
luscious bird. but the large dealers have
made the necessary arrangements for
bountiful supply. At present turkeys are
not In prime condition. and they fetch but
from 10 TO IL cents a pound. From No
vember 10 to Thanksgiving Day the price
will be from II to 10 cents a pound, an
average that compares favorably with the
prices of past years Nearly all OF the tur-
keys sold in Washington are raised in Viz
GINA, although some come from Tennes-
see and Maryland. The Virginia fowl is
considered the best by dealers. They are
usually heavier and more palatabIe, and
they cost trihe more.
The Western turkey seldom reaches this
city. Ii goes direct 10 New York and is
shipped from there TO other places. Con-
tracts have been entered into b. the
wholesale dealers here for an abundant
supply of the toothsome fowl and II is net
a prediction. but certainty. 10 say that
the supply will equal the demand.
For weeks past ii has been claimed that
the cranberry crop this year is but half
of what ii ought TO be. One of the largest
dealers in cranberriss in this city said to-
day that this report is untrue. He said
that there had been a short crop of the
berry in New Jersey. but the crop at Cape
Cod was large enough 10 make up for the
loss in that State. He said that there
would be cranberries enough for ALL and
that the price would compare favorably
with that of last year.
Chickens are now very plentiful. and
they are fat and tender. They sell for 10
cents pound. The demand for geese and
CffrkS iof1f ,f al in - nj,
and at present there are but few of them
in the market Wild geese and wild ducks
will begin to arrive about November l,
and they will command good prices.
Lovers of old-fashioned pumpkin pie
have this year an opportunity TO satisfy
their appetite at very reasonable expense.
Pumpkins are plentiful and cheap. Apples
are expensive. Today good apples bring
$3.50 a barrel and the price will increase
each week. The scarcity and high price of
apples are due to the very short crop and
the large shipments abroad The best
best American apples these times find their
way 10 England.
Malaga grapes are becoming plentiful
and will be cheaper Today they fetch
from s. TO $40 per box Of fifty pounds
Choice Jamaica oranges are now selling for
SS a box. but the price will be lower as
the season progresses. Onions are unusu-
ally cheap and good, but celery is yet COM
handing a high price. Small stalks AT re-
tail fetch from to 10 cents. BY the first
of November the price will fall
Ordinary green's such as lettuce sprouts
spinach, cauliflower. and cabbage, are sell
ing at retail for very fair prices, fair TO
the dealer and the consumer. but rutabaSas
are scarce There are, however, a great
plenty of other yellow turnips that are sold
cheap.
Altogether the general supply of all
Thanksgiving eatabies will equal the de-
mand. and may be had for prices that Will
compare fayorably with those of ether