The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-20
A DOWNWARD PATH
Butter and Eggs Follow It Closely,
Owing to Lack Of Buying
Strength.
Fruit Market Active, With Fine AS
sortment From California, and
Berries Galore.

The week was broken into by the general
picnic epidemic that broke out Wednesday which
carried the local srocers, butchers and mar
ket gardeners into sylvan retreats, and the
business transacted commission row con-
fined to the filling of country orders and receiv-
Ing of produce shipments. Nevertheless, the
total volume of business for the week shows up
heavily the shipping line showing wide
variety of stock. - 's-
The speculative call for butter is too light to
hold up values strongly, and half cent de-
cline developed early in the week. The mar
ket Is in somewhat unsettled condition, as 1t Is
taking altogether too much effort the part Of
handlers to maintain prices, and a further de-
cline seems probable. unless more favorable
features develop quickly. Packing stock holds
mp surprisingly we'll buyers are seemingly not
anxious for stock, sellers usually having to
seek buyer now where ordinarily the situation
Is reversed.
Eggs have declined 114c per dozen during the
week, equal to Acc per case. About the same
conditions rule on eggs on butter the outlet
hardly equaling arrivals, and receivers have to
shade prices to unload. Receipts are heavier
than week ago. while the demand is lighter.
From broad view of the situation the outlook
Is not encouraging for any immediate improve
ment. At the same time 1T is hardly advisable
to hold back stock, as The shrnkage is heavy at
this season of the year.
The cheese market has held to steady basis.
Supplies of well-cured goods increasing and
buyers are taking hold nlore freely than a week
TO ten days ago.
The poultry situation has been depressing one
. all the week. Receipts have ruled extremely
/ heavy. While tho demand has been nominal CON-
pared with the offerings. All lines show sharp
decline IN price and stock has not yet begun to
move out freely, even at the lower figures. The
weather IS 70 vorable to heavy consumption and
as soon retailers call their trades attention
to the reasonable prices ii is expected the
movement will sufficiently increase to bring con-
ditions back to normal tone.
Dressed meats have taken brace and top
grades show satisfactory advance for the week.
Receipts nave fallen off to some extent, espe
caly noticeable the poorer grades Which
always depress the market more seriously when
In oversupply than is the tops. Mutton
and lambs hold to a steady basis, supply and
demand running about equal this week.
Pike, pickerel and bullheads are lower In
price Receipts of fish have been heavy, but
stock Is moving out very we'll at the lower
range OF prices.
The fruit list has shown many changes In price
during the week Berries are beginning to come
i'll freely. and are moving out well. Strawber-
ries are low in price. which has proven some
what diseeuraging to Minnesota growers, as ear
lier prices were high and maintaining of pre-
yious quotations would have put thousands OF
dollars into the hands of growers Consumers
are getting the benefit and taking all coming
The tendency is toward higher range as the
coming week will about end the strawberry
season. California fruits are arriving In ear
lots and the market shows cherries, peaches
plums and apricots. These goods are sold at aue