Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-04
IN THELOCAL MARKETS
ARRIVAL OF SHAD FROM NORTH
CAROLINA WATERS.
Scarcity of Oysters - Demand fol
Turkeys-Fruits and Vegetables
Butter and Eggs.

The first shad of the season arrived here
this week. coming from North Carolina.
They do not reach here SO soon, as a rule,
but the open weather this winter it is be-
lieved, is the cause Of their early appear
ance. While the receipts of the fish are not
heavy, the dealers who have them are care
full to display signs announcing they are on
hand.
I'm only sorry we can't say they are
Potomac shad," remarked dealer to a
Star reporter this morning, but, according
to my way Of thinking, they are just as
good as they are when they reach our
river. There are many persons who think
the flavor of the Potomac fish is better
than that Of those caught in other waters.
but l have never been able to discover
the difference.
"A shad is a shad' he added, land a
good planked fish from North Carolina
waters is good enough for me"
Roe and Buck Shad.
Roe shad were selling at s1.5O each this
morning, and buck shad were bringing 10
cents. Should there be no severe weather
encountered in the near future, dealers
think, shad will soon reach the Potomac
river. No herring have yet arrived here
from the south. Not many fish are being
caught in the Potomac river just now, the
catch being confined to perch. rock and a
few bass. White perch are exceptionally
scarce and HIGH 20 cents a pound being the
price asked for the best of them. Yellow
perch are quoted at 121s cents, and catfish
are selling at Is cents. Bass are bringing
from 10 to 20 cents and rock ars quoted
at from 20 to 80 cents a pound. Other fish
are scarce and higher than usual.
Dealers say that oysters are exceptionally
scarce this season and there has been an
increase in the wholesale price of the bf-
1.-Two civ >hri ltr thar no INV
further rise in the price. dealers say, the
retail prices will have to be increased. 1t is
possible that the shortage has resulted from
so many oystermen going home to spend the
Christmas holiday with their families and
not having returned to the oyster beds If
such is the reason, it is thought additional
SUPPLIES will soon come along.
Demand for Turkeys.
Now that the holidays are over there is no
longer any great demand for turkeys and
farmers are not killing and hauling as many
as they did during the past three weeks.
The supply Is equal to the demand, how
ever, at the prices asked, and there is not
much likelihood of their getting cheaper, as
dealers will buy them at reduced prices and
put them in cold storage for the summer
and next falls trade 1t is stated that there
are many fowls in cold storage. but they
will not be placed upon the market while
there are plenty of fresh killed turkeys to
be had.
AT this season of the year. a dealer re-
marked, people want nothing but fresh
killed stock. but later on when the cold
storage fowls are better than the fresh kill
ed ones they are glad to get them
Twenty cents a pound is the market price
of turkeys. Some dealers are asking as
much as % cents for fancy stock. and 9TH
ers are selling inferior stock at 10 cents.
Chickens, ducks and geese are said to be
scarce and prices have advanced a little
cir no holt <JI1cl lie tod
as being scarce and the prices high. Early
in the season the dealers thought the supply
of ducks would be great enough to insure
cheap prices, but the ducks failed to mate
realize in the local market and prices are as
high. if not higher, than they We're at the
opening of the season.
Oranges, Bananas and Grapes.
Oranges, bananas and grapes are the
leaders in the fruit market, and the prices
charged for them are about the same as
during the holidays. Florida oranges are
selling at from 20 to 80 cents Dozen ba-
nanas from 10 to 20 cents and Malaga
grapes at 20 cents pound Apples are
plentiful, but the selected fruit els high, the
best of it bringing high as so cents a
peck The cheapest apples selling at
about. 30 cents. Tomatoes are scarce and
high, rs and 30 cents pound being the
prices charged for them. Cucumbers are
also scarce and high dealers depending
almost wholly upon dollhouse stock from
Boston and other cities for supplies. They
are selling at from 10 TO 20 cents each
Mushrooms have been higher this winter
than usual the supply being much smaller
Last winter the supply was greater than
usual and prices were correspondingly
lower. but this winter 81 pound has been
the price charged for them. Florida straw
berries are more plentiful and cheaper. the
price having decreased from 81 to 10 cents
a box. The decrease in the price is prob
ably due more to the lack of demand than
ii is to the large supply of the berries
Kale ard spinach are getting scarce and
higher, the former selling at 30 cents
peck and the latter at 40 cents. Red cab
bage find ready sale at from 10 to 20 cents
lettuce are plentiful and in splendid condi-
ton, selling at from to 10 cents a head.
Lettuce, Butter and Eggs.
Fifteen cents a head for lettuce sounds
high produce dealer said today. but it
is really cheap
Celery IL plentiful and the quality Is good.