Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-01
MARKET CONDITIONS
The Prices of Foods to Local
Consumers.
FRUITS ARE CHEAPER
INCREASED SUPPLY OF STRAW
BERRIES REDUCES COST.
Vegetables Generally Scarce, While
There is a Surfeit of Fish
Beef Remains High.

Strawberries are leading the fruit market
this week and the prices are cheap enough
to justify their in shortcake North
although there are a few Florida berries
still coming. Berries on the market at this
time are as fine as any offered for sale here
last year. Today there was some especially
fine stock found on the market benches.
The best of the berries were selling at %
cents quart, while good stock was to be
had for Is cents and inferior stock sold as
low as 10 cents. Because of the change in
temperature during the week dealers found
it necessary to exercise considerable care
in handling the fruit, and in many instances
it was necessary to use ice. Considering
the long distance the berries are shipped
and the amount of handling to which they
are subjected, the fruit received here is in
excellent condition. With few more days
of warm weather the Norfolk berries will
appear on the market to supply the wants
of the trade until local growers begin gate
ering the product of their vines
Tomatoes are scarce. and the market is
no easier than it was last week. Good
stock finds ready sale at % cents pound,
and the choicest tomatoes from Florida
bring an increase of cents. Cucumbers
are cheaper. HOthouse stock is bringing
10 cents. while the product from Florlda
is to be had for about one-half the price.
Asparagus is more plentiful and cheaper
There is practically no demand for grass
from below Norfolk. The Norfolk grass
is of fine quality. and from 30 to 40 cents
bunch is asked for it. Tomorrow the
first homegrown grass of good quahty OF
the season will be on sale in the market
Some inferior stock from nearby places
has been In market, but it has been only
half grown, and good prices for II were
not obtained Grape fruit or shattucks
are still scarce and high. They are prlng-
ing p cents each, with no prospects OF an
early increase in the supply. Oranges are
quoted at from % to 80 cents dozen, ana
pineapples are more plentiful ana cheaper.
There has been a decrease In the supply OF
mushrooms and they are bringing ~ cents,
In a short time the field mushrooms VIII
be in market. although the spring supply Is
not usually large. Most of the field stock
comes in the fall, during the wet season
There will likely be a greater supply our
ing the next few days, which will cause
drop in the price. Green vegetables are
plentiful and cheaper prices rule.
Plenty of Fish in Market.
The decided change in the weather since
last week has had a depressing effect on the
fish market and the demand has decreased.
A great many fish have been caught about
the vicinity of the city during the past two
weeks and hundreds of families have been
supplied in this way. This, it is believed.
has affected the market to some extent.
White perch have been caught in great
numbers. and they have been unusually
large. Some of the anglers who had gooo
luck disposed of their catch to the dealers.
One angler Melted 81 in three Gays. ohsa
are selling at from 80 to 10 cents each, ana
shad roe is to be had for 20 cents Herring
are to be had for almost anything the pur-
chaser Is willing to pay for them
Soft crabs are more plentiful and u VIII
buy one dozen of them. The largest Of them
are bringing s1.25. Next week they will
probably be still cheaper. Hard crabs are
in better condition this year than usual ana
the price is the same. Twenty-Five cents a
dozen is the regulation price for them.
Sturgeon is in demand at 10 cents a pound.
Years ago it was impossible to get rld OF the
stock at ) cents now the New York people
who pack caviar control the market and
the fish bring big prices for such uses. Carp
are plentiful but The demand is small. Deal
ers ask cents pound for them, and some
people have d way of preparing them to
make them appear very much like sturgeon.
On account of the warm weather the deal
ers have to keep most of their stock on ice,
and are therefore, unable to make much Of
a show on their fish. White perch are sell
ing from 12la to 10 cents a pound and rock
fish are bringing from 10 to 20 cents. ..
No Break in Beef Prices.
The beef market is steady and without
any indication of a break. Rib roasts are
quoted at from - to IS cents, but most
dealers charge the latter price, which is an
increase over the prices charged few
weeks ago.
Beef is about as high as it is going to
be-" remarked a dealer to a Star reporter,
'.and there is no reason why it should not
be lower The beef market ought to be
broken and it is in the power of the con-
sumers to do it. Lessen the beef orders or
use other meat for a couple of weeks, and
something will likely happen. With an ex-
ira big supply of meat on hand the shippers
would have to do something"
The demand for meats is not nearly so
great as it was a short time ago. Spring
chickens are coming in and the spring
lambs are taking the places of beef and
pork Pork is easier than it was a week
ago and lard has also taken drop. Bacon
is finding ready sale at 10 and IL cents
while 121a cents is the price asked for
shoulders.
Butter prices are gradually decreasing
and dealers promise lower prices to their
patrons during the next two weeks. Choice
butter has been scarce during the past win
ter but the receipts are now increasing
and the quality improving. There has been
little if any change in the egg market this
week Eggs are firm at IL cents. which Is
only cents in advance of the price asked
for them In case lot. Packers are putting
them away at the present prices, and local
dealers fear there will not be much of a de-
crease in the price the remainder OF the
season.