Evening star., 1901-09-28
PRICES IN LOCAL MARKETS
FARMERS AND GARDENERS MAKE
SALES AT GOOD FIGURES.
Unprecedented Demand for Tomatoes
I Supply of Peaches, Apples
and Vegetables.

Farmers and gardeners in this section
have been getting better prices for much
| of their produce this season than they have
| In many years. In some sections complaint
Is made of scarcity of supply, while in
others the product is equal in quantity to
! that OF former years, and growers are reap
ing a harvest. As a rule the prices are
higher than formerly, although low prices
prevailed from time to time at short in
tervals.
There has been an unprecedented demand
for tomatoes and the crop has been shorter
than usual, though the quality has been
| first-class. The demand for them has been
greater because of short crops in the can
ming districts, and farmers In this section
had orders for the vegetable from such es-
adjustments to ship their stock at fairly
good prices. Tomatoes were cheap for about
one week. during which time householders
were able to purchase them in quantities
large enough for their winter supply. For
few days they sold at less than so cents
per bushel box, but they commanded one
dollar box most of the season, and some
times as much as two dollars. They are
now fairly plentiful and are selling at a
dollar box. Dealers say they will be no
cheaper.
Irish Potatoes.
Irish, or white potatoes, which are al
ways in great demand. are not nearly as
plentiful usual and higher prices pre-
vail.
Some of the farmers in this section had
good late crops but in most of the potato
growing sections the dry weather prevent
ed their growth and dealers say they will
be scarce and high this winter Good po-
tatoes are now selling at 81 bushel. as
against about half that amount last year.
1t is believed they will be even higher later
In the season, as some of the merchants
have already received orders for them
from other cities.
String beans, egg plants, oyster plants
and many of the smaller vegetables have
been plentiful and cheap, and good sup
ply Is still to be had at reasonable prices.
Lima beans have been scarce and high all
the season, seldom selling at less than u
cents quart. Cucumbers have also
brought good prices throughout the season.
the supply rarely being more than equal
to the demand. Lettuce radishes and on
ions for which there is always good de-
mand, have been scarce. but they are now
more plentiful and much cheaper Cab
bage has also been scarce, but the supply
is increasing every day and prices are
about the same as those of last year. The
smaller vegetables will be plentiful and
probably cheap for some time and then
the southern produce will arrive in large
quantities. Market dealers do not antici-
pate any great increase in the price of such
produce.
Fruits at High FiKures.
Fruits have commanded ready sales at
pretty high figures, peach growers obtain
ing better prices than in former seasons,
although there has not been a great search
ty OF the fruit. Most Of the peaches now
on the market come from the mountain
districts of nearby states, and the prices
range from 81 to 81 bushel, according to
quality. Most of the peaches are now packed
IN baskets, and dealers, 1t is stated, get
more money for them than when they are
shipped in bushel boxes. Peaches have
oeen OF particularly good quality this sea-
son. especially those from western Mary
land. In short time this years stock
will be exhausted.
Apples are also of fine quality, and deal
ers predict they will be high during the
coming winter. Apples are selling at from
~ to 81 barrel. according to quality. but
the farmers are not yet bringing In their
winter stock.
Grapes are unusually plentiful and cor
respondingly cheap. During the past few
Gays many thousands of baskets have been
received here through the Baltimore mar
ket, and the stock will probably be ample
until after Christmas
Fears have been unusually plentiful and
cheap, good stock selling as low as 30 cents
bushel at times. Some farmers had SO
many pears that they used barrels of them
to mix with apples when making cider.
The Washington markets today presented
beautiful array OF fruits and vegetables