The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1904-12-21
The LOCAL HAY MARKET
IS MOST DISC0URAGING
Alfalfa Can Be Bought for Almost Any
Price-Potatoes are a Little High
er-Butter Seventy Cents Roll.

The condition of the hay market is
the most discouraging thing that con-
! fronts the Yakima rancher in looking
over the results of the seasons work.
If he mas only alfalfa, the chances of
realizing any profits from his hay land
in the near future are remote indeed.
There is fair demand for timothy and
clover and even grain hay. but alfalfa
can't be sold Mt any price. Several
farmers have offered to the hay dealers
! large quantities of fine alfalfa at their
own price, whatever it might be, if they
would take it off their hands. But not
being able to find a market for what
they have stored, the dealers will not
buy more at this time.
The dealers have looked into condi-
tions as far as they can with reference
to the future, and can see nothing to
any time soon. The press dispatches of
Saturday stated that the Russian gov
eminent had placed with San Francisco
commission firms large orders for hay
to be delivered at the earliest possible
date, but it is thought that this order
will not include a great deal of alfalfa,
or that it will be so large that California
will not be able to fill it without assist
ance, and it is therefore not expected
to cut any great figure. A few days ago
one of the largest hay dealers on the
Sound was in North Yakima and in
talking to local dealer said that the
purchasing agents for the United
States government would soon place an
order for 5000 tons of hay on the Sound.
He stated that the dealers there would
not have the slightest difficulty in filling
the order, and made the assertion that
he would be willing to fill the order at
actual cost if it would result in taking
the surplus out of the market, in order
that a better condition might prevail
throughout the state. There is no quo
tation given out for alfalfa, but the fin
est quality would not bring $3.50 ton.
Good timothy is worth $3.50 to $l3.
and clover or grain nay from 50 to $3.50.
Onions are still in the lead for high
prices. and wholesale dealers are paying
$40 and better for good quality. \
prominent merchant stated Monday that
he expected to see onions sold in North
Yakima for $50 ton before spring
They are so scarce that dealers will 90
long way to buy an extra good lot.
Potatoes are a little higher, but so
little That the difference is not noted
except in the buying or selling of ton
lots; SIS is good price, and large guam
titles are being offered. A good many
are being shipped in refrigerator cars,
some to the Sound and some to eastern
markets. The eastern shipments at this
time are confined mainly to Montana
points. Sweet potatoes are advancing
in price, and are rather scarce The lat
ter condition indicates that they will
be still dearer, although they are re-
failing for Sc pound in the stores.
Turkeys advanced in price, as was ex-
pected, and are selling readily for l5c
pound, live weight. 1t is not thought
the price will be higher than this, and it
will doubtless take another drop after
the holidays. Chickens, geese and ducks
are unchanged.
Creamery butter asserted its indie
pendence by climbing up to the zoe mark
last week, and according to some of the
retail merchants it will hold this posi-
ton for some time. Seventy cents is too
much for even the best creamery butter,
and comes too near being a prohibitive
price for many, but that cuts no figure
with the man who sets the price.