The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20

chickens are from 3 to 4 cents higher. The
reason for this is that on account of the
bad weather there was no early production
of spring chickens. The principal reason,
however. that poultry has so generally ad-
vanced in price is because of the large de-
mand for it and the scarcity of the supply.
Eggs and butter are higher than they have
been for some time. On the former the adj
vance has been 3 cents a dozen and on the
latter from 1 cent TO 2 cents a pound. When
the prices of meat rose the demand for eggs
increased. for many used them to take it's
place. Those who are prominent dealers in
poultry. butter and eggs say that the sell
ing was never heavier than now, and that,
while the prices have so materially gone up,
trade has not fallen off a particle and the
demand greatly exceeds the supply.
PRICE OF GROCERIES.
wholesals grocers unite in declaring that
there has been no considerable advance in
the cost of groceries in the last few years.
In fact, many of the staples are now sell
ing for much less than they did a year ago.
During the Spanish-American war, of
course. there was a great demand created
for canned beans, meats and for such sta
pies as sugar. coffee. -four and so on. which
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but as soon as the wal closed and the mar
ket again became normal, the prices set
tied back to where they formerly were.
In the grocery line the principal advance
has been in canned goods, and the reason
for this is the short pack last season. which
was occasioned by the long drought during
the middle of the summer. If, however,
there has been any increase in groceries as
a whole, it is very slight, being divided up
as 1t is among so many different commodi-
ties, some of which have not advanced,
while others are lower than usual. 1t is
said groceries all through, as purchased
by the ordinary individual, have not been
as cheap in eight or ten years as now.
Flour is in the neighborhood of 81 a barrel
ana IL was about this price last year. All
sugars have been greatly reduced, and this
can principally be said of graduated, which
is selling for IL per cent. less than it did a
year ago. Coffees are lower than they have
been in the last ten years, and every grade
is now selling for about 10 per cent. less
than a year ago, while tea is slightly high
er. Oatmeal is a little higher than ii was
a short time since. while tapiOca is said to
be lower than it has been in the last twenty
years. All ~farinaceous foods, particularly
oats, show an advance. Maple products
and honey are cheap. So are prunes and
various other things used as relishes.
There is such a variety of food in this
county, 1t is remarked, that if one falls
short another takes its place. One reason
why such an exaggerated idea has got
hold OF people who think that the prices
of groceries have greatly increased is that
they are no longer content TO buy fresh
vegetables and fruits when they are in sea-
son; they want them out of season. and so.
of course. have TO pay dearly. The principal
reason, wholesale grocers say, for the ad-
vance in price Of articles that do show a
slight increase is that the people are de
handing a better class of goods. and they
also want it prepared and put up in the
best style. They claim further that there
is a much heavier sale of high-classed
goods than there is of the inferior. and that
people each year are wanting a better class
of groceries.
CANNED GOODS A FACTOR.
Canned goods are becoming one of the
greatest factors in the grocery store. and
every household as well. for they afford
people the opportunity or having fruits and
vegetables at all seasons of the year tor d
small sum. Even after fruits n vege-
tables become seasonable they are held at
such prices for the FIRST month or so after
they make their appearance on the market
thar IL IL wasn't for the canned goods the
man in moderate circumstances would sell
dom taste anything OF the kind until late
in the season. Canned goods, which in gem
eral are growing in Importance as a fea-
ture in the food supply-and there IS an
especially large demand for the better quail
tiles On account Of the remarkable increase
in cOnsumption-show an advance or prob
ably 10 per cent This can principally be
said OF corn and peas. For tomatoes the
price has increased greater than for any
thing else. which. however. is wholly on ac-
count or the disastrous season last year.
In the last few years there has been a
great improvement In the average quality
OF many OF the articles canned and some
OF them may be classed among the ~luxuries
OF food. Dried fruits show no change over
last year. except in some OF the small
fruits. which have recently advanced on
account OF the damaged crops OF the last
' two months. which has reduced the market