Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-29
THE FARMERS HAPPY
RAIN INCREASES PROSPECTS OF
GOOD CROPS.
The Local Markets Well Supplied With
Seasonable Fruits and Vegeta-
bles-The Prices.

The rain of the past week came in time to
do lots Of good to the crops in the surround
ing country and the farmers are correspond
ingly happy. Aweek ago the growers of fruits
and produce were alarmed over the wealth
er conditions, but they are now somewhat
relieved, and increased quantities of small
fruits and vegetables are being gathered
for market. The increased supply has re-
lieved the market dealers to some extent
and no trouble is now experienced in get
ting supplies equal to the demand. Most of
the small fruits are now to be had in the
local markets and vegetables are also plen-
tiful.
Dealers say the prices are no higher than
they usually are at this season. Indeed,
some of the products are not so high, as
many farmers are now forcing their crops
where years ago they depended entirely
upon the elements. Watermelons and can
teloupes on the market benches give the
market decided summertime appearance.
These fruits are from Florida and Georgia,
and they are not as good as they will be a
little later. Melons are selling at 60 and IS
cents, while canteloupes are bringing from
10 to Is cents. Strawberries are more plen-
tfful than ever and are to be had for al
most any price. Common stock are bring
ing cents, while the best berries on the
market are to be had for 10 cents a box
Gooseberries, blackberries and huckleber-
ries are 10, Is and 20 cents a box, respec-
lively. Cherries from Maryland and Vir-
gnia In splendid condition are to be bought
for 10 and IL cents a quart. Thirty cents
pint Is the price of lima beans. Toma-
toes. cucumbers spinach and other vege-
tables are cheaper and more plentiful.
Early Close of Shad Season.
Twelve days more and the shad and her
ring season will close. The law really
closes the season the last day of the month
but the dealers have ten days in which to
get rid of the stock on hand. Salt and
smoked fish are getting more in demand
as the weather gets warmer. and fish from
the salt water will soon have to be de-
pended upon to supply the trade with the
fresh article. Sturgeon has been in great
demand recently, and they have been more
plentiful than heretofore. The supply has
fallen OF this week, and it is now no
81 eater than the demand. Dealers who
make speciality of smoking fish are buy
ing all the surplus sturgeon they can get
for this purpose. The smoked article sells
as high as 40 cents a pound, while 10 cents
is the price charged for the fresh fish.
Receipts of fish from the salt water are
increasing. and they will soon take the
place of shad. There are some fine shad
being received from the lower Potomac
in salt water, as we'll as select stock from
the Kennebec. They are bringing from
35 to IS cents each, according to size and
quality.
Fish from the salt water are bringing
from 10 to - cents pound. Twenty cents
pound is the price of balibut, while Ivy
cents is TIE price of fresh cod. Soft crabs
are not so plentiful and better prices rule.
Last week the best of them were to be
had for so cents dozen, but this week
they are 10 cents and may go higher. Hard
crabs and crab meat show no change in
price. Frogs are scarce at $3.50 and So a
Dozen
Dull Meat Market
The meat market is dull and low, but
poultry is still high, although the demand
is not great. Spring chickens are more in
demand than anything else in the poultry
line, with the prices about the same as
last week. Butter is cheap, the best SELL
Ing at 80 cents. while some country butter
fl ON the neighboring counties is to be had
as low at Is cents Flowers have been
more in demand this week than food, and
the country people have stripped their gar
dens in order to supply the demand for
Decoration day