Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-07
MARKET PRICES HIGH
INCREASE DUE TO GENERAL
SCARCITY OF PRODUCTS.
Cost Of Meat Affected by Baltimore
Strike-Dairymen Have Troubles
Game Supply Short.

that prices are considerably higher than
they were this time last year. The cost
of many Of the staple articles has increased
during the past month, and in the opinion
of most Of the dealers, there VIII not be
much relief from the high prices for some
months. Butter, eggs, cheese. meats and
farm products in general are all being sold
at increased figures.
Some of the advances" remarked a
dealer in the Center Market to a Star re-
porter. ARE due entirely to the scarcity of
the products, the supply not being equal to
the demand. In some instances it may be
possible thSt advantage is taken of the con-
dition of the market, but as rule the IN
crease is due to the lack of supplies"
1t is stated that the local pork market
has been somewhat affected by the strike
OF the Baltimore butchers While its infiu-
ence upon the local trade has not been
great, ii has been sufficient. it is asserted,
to be considered the means of boosting
prices to slight extent. 1t is believed,
however, that the prices will decrease
shortly after the butchers adjust their diff
ferences The cost of hams and bacon has
been affected, but there has been but little
change in the price of other pork products.
Beef butchers in the markets are paying
a little more for their supplies than they
were few days ago. but the advance has
not yet affected the retail market. There
are many grades of beef to be found in and
ABOUT the markets, ana tne pTiCeS range
from to 25 cents per pound. There has
been but little change in the poultry mar
ket, and chickens and other fowls are bring
ing about the same prices that they have
been selling for during the past month.
Most fruits and vegetables are higher
than they usually are at this season of the
year.
While the majority of the buyers are in
terested in the prices of the necessaries OF
life many of the dealers and others are at
attention the
ton of game for the fall and winter trade
The season for most of the wild ducks has
opened, but the season for quail and rabbits
will not begin until November 1. Reed
birds, ortolan and blackbirds. which are be-
ing hunted now, are to be had in the mar
ket, but the supply is so short that all or
ders for the game cannot be filled.
Few Birds for Sale.
"If had any reedbirds," said a dealer
to a Star reporter this morning, Il would
sell them at the rate of 81 a dozen, but the
gunners seem to have been unsuccessful,
and the supply is short Ortoian are bring
ing 81 a dozen and blackbirds are selling at
from 40 to so cents"
The short supplies of the birds indicate
that the sport on the marshes Is not as
good as it has been. in past years. Cum
ners who shoot birds for a livelihood have
had but little success this season. Reed
birds, it is stated, are more plentiful than
they were carrier in the week, but gunners
say they fly SO high that 1t is Impossible to
make much Roadway shooting them. Very
few summer ducks have been seen on the
marshes this fall, and dealers are, there
fore, getting but small numbers of them for
their trade. 1t is feared by the dealers that
late game especially rabbits and quail, will
be scarce and high. Under the Jaws Of
Maryland. 1t is stated, the killing OF quail
and rabbits will not be permitted this sea-
son. as the Maryland authorities want to
give the game chance to recover from
the effects of the severe weather two years
ago. Under an act of Congress, approved
June 30 this year. it is made an ofense to
kill any game in the District OF Columbia
While dealers never depended for their sup
plies upon the game killed in the District,
they did get few quail and rabbits that
were shot on the outskirts of the city. The
shooting Of crows, cooper hawks, sharp
Skinned hawks and great horned Owls is
permitted provided permit to shoot them
is obtained from the chief OF police, but the
shooting of these birds does not interest the
market dealers. With closed season IN
Maryland and with the laws OF several
other states prohibiting the shipment OF
game from their territory, dealers have
reason to believe that the supply Will be
short and the prices correspondingly high.
Butter Joins Procession.
Butter has undergone an increase Of some
thing like cents a pound during recent
DAYS, It Is stated, and dealers have been
forced to advance the retail price. Some
days ago the price of creamery butter was
Increased to 80 cents and some dealers are
now asking 80 cents for the dairy product.
The increased price of butter, one of the
dealers states, is due to its scarcity. Re
ports from the creameries indicate that
there has been a decided falling off In the
output This decrease in the product, 1t is
stated, is due to the scarcity OF milk. Even
the owners of cows in this section, 1t is
stated, are complaining of the scarcity OF
milk and are unable to get enough OF 1t 10
supply their customers.
The increase in the price of eggs, It is
said is also due to their scarcity. This
morning dealers are asking 30 cents dozen
for eggs extra selected stock bringing 81
cents 1t is believed by the dealers that
they will bring 40 cents before the Christ
mas holidays and that they will not sell FOR
less than 80 cents until next March.
Farmers who have late vegetables are
reaping harvest. Corn Is especially
scarce and high, dealers getting as nucn
as % and 80 cents a dozen ears. Tomatoes
have been scarce and high nearly all the
season. but the recent clear weather I'M
proved the stock and they are cheape:
tia, they were last week. Ten cents 2
quarter peck is the price tina; dealers were
charging for them this morning, and 1t Is
believed they will be still cheaper neXi
week unless there is a decided change In
the weather. Because of the continue
wet weather farmers we're unable to dig
potatoes ana the pTlccS DIV c-il''ett ~ 81 ~ q
bushel Dealers think there will be a de.
crease in the price In the near fuulra
Cucumbers Also Ascend.
1t was only few days ago tina. cucum.
bers sold for 20 cents a dozen. but they
have become scarce and are now selling al
the rate of 5 cents apiece. Michigan celery
is quoted at from ) to 10 cents, and Lettuce
is selling at from to Is cents Il head. APP
Piles and peaches are more plentiful. large
shipments of the fruit be.n:; received from
the Maryland and Virginia orchards. Price.
vary, the figures being determined by .ht
quality of the fruit. The 1es: eff ths
peaches are selling at the rate Of 20 cents
dozen. ,...-. ..--.-.
Norfolk spots and bluefish are leaders ir
the fish trade. the former being In great de-
mand. Spots are put up In punches weigh.
ing between two and three pounds and are
sold for Is cents bunch. While they arr
known as Norfolk spots. 1t is stated, mos,
of them are caught in Lynnhaven bay sThey
are not taken in nets. but are caught with
hook and line by men who follow the water
for a livelihood. Soft crabs. crab meat
crab fake and hard crabs are still In the
market. but the demand for them has de-
creased since the opening of the oyster sea
son. Dealers are getting oysters from New
York, Annapolis and Norfolk. the best OF
the stock. 1t is stated. coming from New
York. Extra selects from New York are
selling at 30 cents quart the standard.