Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-23
TN THE LOCAL MARKETS
SCARCITY OF OYSTERS. BUT FISH
ARE PLENTIFUL.

The withdrawal of the dredge boats from
the oyster beds a week ago and the subse-
quent rough weather on the water was a
combination that almost caused an oyster
famine. On account of the Lenten season
the bivalves are in great demand With
scarcity of oysters and the consequent In
crease in the price of choice stock, it became
necessary for buyers to find substitute.
That was comparatively easy matter, how
ever, because of the excellent condition OF the
fish market. Fish are plentiful. the dealers
being able to get more than sufficient to
meet the demand. The receipts of shad show
a steady increase in the catch in the waters
of the Potomac and along the coast, with
a decrease in the price, the best roe shad
bringing 90 cents each and bucks selling as
low 81 cents. II is now the season to en-
joy planked shad. and the fish are to be
had cooked in this manner before the open
ing of the resorts. where such fish are
cooked by the hundreds before open fires.
shad Planked at Home
1T is an easy matter to plank shad at
home a dealer remarked to a Star reporter
today. Boards for such use are to be
found in stores. or planks are easily made
Of a piece of oak board. Then it is an easy
matter to nail the fish to the plank and
keep them moistened with a dressing made
of butter, vinegar, condiments and hot
water"
Many persons, he stated, cut the fish into
six pieces and cook them small boards,
because of the limited space in their stoves
The shad have become sufficiently plentiful
for the dealers to cut them and sell the roe
80 cents a set being charged for the roe
Potomac herring, it is stated. are also good
planked. They are selling at from 40 to 20
cents a dozen, Bass rock and perch are
being caught in the Potomac, and find ready
a prices asked selling a
from Is cents for pan fish to 20 cents for
those that are large enough to boil Rock
are quoted at from IL to 30 cents, and perch
are 10 cents a pound. Bluefish and Spanish
mackerel are to be had for 10 cents a pound :
speckled trout, 1919 cents, and founders 10
cents, Local dealers have received ship
ments of frogs from New Orleans. They
weigh about twelve ounces each, and sell
for % cents a pound, or 81 a dozen. Soft
crabs from North Carolina are expected
about the middle OF next month.
Early Vegetables.
Southern tomatoes are getting more plen-
Iful and cheaper, selling al from 20 to 80
cents pound. They have not been as good
this season as usual and higher prices have
ruled, the best stock selling at as much as
40 cents a pound. California asparagus Is
becoming more plentiful and better and
dealers are putting it up in punches to sell
at from 10 to 30 cents. New carrots from
III .
cents a bunch. New potatoes and cabba ge
are also to be had. the former selling at 20
and . cents quarter peck, and the latter
at 80 cents. Lettuce have improved in
quality and dealers are having no trouble
getting stock sufficient to supply the de-
mand at from to Is cents a head Florida
and California celery is selling at from B
to 10 cents. Spring onions radishes and
parsley are plentiful and moderate prices
prevail.
Butter, Eggs and Poultry.
But little change In the butter and egg
market has occurred since last week An
Increase of about 2 cents a dozen in the
price of eggs is noted and many of the re-
tailers think the retail price will not get
lower than 20 cents again this season. al
though some dealers are still offering them
at Is cents. 1t is stated that some Of the
packers have already begun putting eggs
IN storage for next winter, but there are
plenty of last summers eggs still in the
storage rooms. Butter is also being put
away Tor next winters trade.
Dealers are getting but little fresh-killed
poultry, and prices are no cheaper than
they were last week. Western packers are
supplying the market with frozen fowls
and they are finding ready sale at advanced
prices. The season for domestic ducks ends
next week, but there are plenty ducks sim
III market 1t is thought that local dealers
VIII nave enough of them left to nut IN
storage for the opening of the season next
year
The meat market is about the Same az #
was last week. Wholesale prices have mn
dergone slight change, but the retail mar
ket has not been affected