The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-02
i. STORAGE BUYERS
NOW AFTER EGGS
RECEIPTS CLEAN UP READILY
EACH DAY ON FRESH.
Packers Are Up Against the PROPOSE
ton of Paying Five Cents per
Dozen More for Eggs Than a Year
Ago-Butter Is Steady, but East
4 ern Points Are Weakening.

It has been a matter Of some surprise to
the trade in general, this high range on
eggs. The winter has been backward, but
the production seems to be up to former
years. The outlet evidently seems larger
than usual, as values are way above the
normal for the season, strictly fresh eggs
being quoted a year ago at IL cents. This
difference i'll price must be adding good
many dollars to the pockets Of the north
western farmer. What effect the high
range will have upon the storage situation
remains to be seen. So far but a small
proportion of buyers are loading up, but
seemingly more largely due to their in
! ability to secure the goods than to the
extra amount of money needed to handle
them. Nonproducing districts are heavy
buyers for immediate consumption, and
are paying current prices willingly. This
has caused a large shipping business in
this line out Of Minneapolis this week, and
has seen the street virtually cleaned up of
available goods each day.
SO far the local market has been firm
on creamery makes of butter, as receivers
have been able to keep stocks down to
fresh basis without difficulty. From this
distance it looks tho the extreme east
had over-reached itself in forcing up
values beyond the point warranted by
general conditions, and havo had to take
water and show a sharper decline than the
conservative west. There Is no reason
why butter should not be reasonably firm
until grass butter begins to show up. Feed
is high, and producers all complain that
stock Is In too poor condition to bring out
the results looked for for the expendi-
ture. On medium and low grades the call
has been inactive except on packing stock,
which has been in very good request. At
the same time buyers insist upon nice.
sweet lots, and will not make acceptable
lids on held or rancid receipts. The call
has been unusually good for fresh rolls
and prints, but they are a scarce commod-
nd nj VII r
itg.
Cheese Is weak and shows declining
symptoms on October as we'll as new
Ilakes. The fact is strongly evident that
there IS a serious surplus Of cheese at
resent on twin and flat makes, with the
tutlet restricted to current consumption.
speculative buying Is out Of the question
Ind holders Of largo amounts are cutting
Gown their stocks comparatively slow
and are up against a discouraging propo-
sition.
Poultry is fairly firm. Price changes 70,
the week have been few, and some deal
ers have looked for a lower range to de-
Velop. especially on dressed. But such a
contingency failed to materialze. AS the
weather becomes warmer live will be pre-.
ferred. and dressed naturally neglected
but 1t is hardly probable that any grea
slump In prices will develop so long as
egg prices hold up around present figures
Dressed meats are steady on all lines
20 cents. The call is not heavy, and gen
erous receipts would force the price dowr
radically.
The potato market continues to advance
on both red and white stock. Some re
ceivers whose past experience gives then
some license to predict would not be sur
prised to a $3.50 market No.
white stock before new begin coming free
ly enough to cut any figure. ALI root vege
tables are firm. New vegetables are
shade lower on some lines. Tomatoes ar
( now coming In CARROTS from the south, an
y nre more reasonable in price. The sout
IS sending north a heavier supply of a
green stuffs each week, and values ougf
to go considerably lower in the near futur
on many lines.
The fruit market has shown no startlin
changes. Strawberries are lower, no
coming regularly in car lots from Texa
This gives the market n good supply, an
! outside dealers are ordering moro freel,
Apples are shade weaker, but tt
range Is not much lower Oranges hold
last weeks range. with lemons % cen
per box lower on California grown. Son
new Messinas offered, but sellir
some higher than west coast stock. Ne
pineappes are offered, and are provir
good sellers.