Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-16
PRICES ARE NOT HIGH
BUSINESS FALLING OFF IN LOCAL
MARKETS.
Melons From Florida Becoming More
Plentiful-AN Fruits and
Vegetables.

The warm weather has resulted In caus-
ing many people to leave the city, and
some of the market dealers are complaining
that business shows falling off. All the
summer fruits and vegetables are to be had
now and the prices are not high. Melons,
from Florida. are getting more plentiful
and good one is to be had for 80 cents.
Melons are in fine condition now re-
marked dealer in the Center market to a
Star reporter and the warm weather is
making better demand for them. With
cool weather melons are not in demand, and
the question of price has nothing to do
with the matter of regulating the sales.
but as soon as the change in the weather
conditions comes the demand promptly In
ycreases. and usually the early supply Will
not meet the demand
Canteloupes are getting more plentiful
every day, and the quality of them has ina
proved with the advance of the season
There is also a decided change in the mat
ter Of price. They are now to be had as
cheap as cents each, and some of the
better stock is bringing as much as 10
cents. Strawberries are almost played out
and the season will soon close. The best
of them are now selling at 20 cents quart,
while inferior berries are selling low as
cents. Black and red raspberries are
selling at two boxes for a quarter. Pine
apples are cheap and are in demand for
canning purposes.
Plentiful and Cheap.
All early vegetables are plentiful and
cheap, with the possible exception Of as
paragus. This vegetable will be in market
only short time and the price of the
small punches is 10 cents, while the larger
punches are retailing at about 40 cents.
Florida tomatoes are selling at from 10 to
10 cents a pound and the supply is far
tar- hor hn 1nyao md or a
ishes, peas and onions are plentiful and the
supply is greater than the demand.
Shad and herring are no longer to be seen
on the market benches. The season for
them closed the latter part of last week.
Shad do not keep well in cold storage. but
when sailed they are considered delicacy.
Local dealers packed many Of them during
the short time the market was glutted with
them and they will probably be cheap this
winter. Potomac black bass are scarce
and dealers unable to explain their
scarcity. Just after the opening of the sea-
son some cold storage bass were to be had.
but this supply has become exhausted and
there are now none to be had. Boston
mackerel are always in demand in hot
weather They hold up as well as any
other fish and are delivered in good order.
The price charged for them now is 80 cents
each. Spanish mackerel are 20 cents a
pound Rock fish are selling at from 10 to
% cents a pound. according to size. and
sea bass, weak fish and butter fish are 10
10 cents a pound, cod at 121s. and salmon
at 80 cents a pound. Soft crabs are still
scarce and high. They selling at 81 a
dozen and the supply is not equal to the
demand. Hard crabs are plentiful at %
cents a dozen and crab meat is in demand
at 30 cents a quart.
Spring Chickens.
Spring chickens are getting more plentiful
and cheaper. They are retailing at from
25 to 80 cents pound and are In great de-
mand. Roasting chickens are selling at
20 cents and fowls at IS cents Turkeys
are selling at 20 cents, but the demand for
them Is not great Long Island ducks are
In demand at 80 cents pound. There has
been but little change in the meat market
since last week, and the butter market is
quiet. Butter prices range from IS to 80
cents. 1t is stated that large consignments
OF butter are being put in cold storage for
the winter trade. Eggs are also being
stored for the winter trade and this de-
mand keeps up the price. Twenty cents a
dozen is the prevailing price, although
some fancy stock is selling as high as %
cents.