The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-12
UNSETTLED TONE
ON STAPLE LINES
BUTTER DRAGS SERIOUSLY, BUT
EGGS ARE ACTIVE.
The Tendency Is Toward a Lower
Range on Both Products-A Turn to
Colder Weather Gave Hen Fruit a
Temporary Firmness-Fruit Move
ment Is Heavy.

While not as sharp drop in produce
prices is reported this week as last, the
decline has been Of importance to the pro-
Queer, averaging so cents to the tub of
butter and 70 cents case on eggs. The
decline on the latter promised to be great
er but stormy weather had a bracing eff
feet.
The outlet at present Is confined to re-
tailers, as storage buyers have not as yet
entered the field and are not likely to do
so before April /. Outside SPECTATORS are
showing interest in the situation and ask
Ing prices on contract eggs for April de-
livery. Around S. per case seems the
present asking figure for No. 1 goods, but
no contracts have been made or are likely
to be at that price. A year ago to-day
candled eggs were Is cents, 50 that values
are on about the same basis now.
Butter has shown depressed tone all the
week, and quotations are little bit stiff
when 1t comes to forcing out the goods
In q jobbing way. On general movement
IN small way to retailers full quotations
are secured, but many large holders would
be glad to clean up their boxes Of eX-
tras at % cents. Diaries have shown the
same weak tone and lower range, and do
not move out satisfactorily at the lower
figures. Packing stock buyers have laid
down and are not taking In any stock
that can be lodged, as their products are
lower and outlet nominal.
The cheese list shows no change Of i'm
portance. Fancy we'll cured brick is about
the only line not in sufficient supply.
New goods are coming in freely, but do
not fill the bill with good many Gus
toners.
Poultry and dressed meats are steady.
Owing to moderate arrivals, the former
keeps well cleaned up and values hold to
a firm range: Veal has been coming too
plentifuly to allow firm maintaining Of
yallIaS and grades show q half-cent
lower range.
Quotations on rabbits and squirrels have
beer withdrawn, as the demand has fall
len to nominal proportions with milder
weather.
Potatoes have advanced cents per
bushel all grades. Receipts are more
liberal than thirty days ago, but the de-
nand is also heavier, retailers general
ly have come into the market for sup
plies, as stock put away In the fall Is
virtually cleaned up. Holders at country
points have q firm view, as all informa-
ton Is to the effect that more stock in
storage was frozen than was looked for.
Some arrivals are reported from Washing
ton, but not in large enough quantities to
prove serious competition for home grown,
as carrying charges are so heavy. ss4 ID
Cabbage is firm, with fair supply.
There are plenty Of Spanish and Bermuda
onions in crates now coming, and moving
out well, which cuts into the call for
home grown to a greater or less extent.
Parsnips are % cents per bushel higher,
with light offerings.
The green vegetable list has been added
to by moderate arrivals Of green and
wax beans. but prices are too high to
attract the general public. Cucumbers
and redishes are higher.
u The fruit list continues to show marked
advances. Apples are higher, but the
quality is the best ever for the season,
and they are freely taken by the trade.
Cheap oranges a thing Of the past,
values now ranging around S250m275 per
box for desirable shipping fruit. The
supply Is lighter, but nevertheless there
Is fine range Of sizes. Lemons show
no change. Bananas and cranberries also
hold to former prices, but stocks on the
latter are becoming well reduced, and SO
per barrel for NICE firm berries will soor
be the prevailing figure. Illinois sweet
potatoes are scarce and higher. Straw
berries are in good supply, and selling
well for the season. Quality is very good
The honey market is quiet. Offerings are
heavy, and outside parties are anxious
to unload, which gives some unsettled
tone on prices. .- - ,.r.