Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-22
PRICES IN LOCAL MARKETS
WARM WEATHER DECREASES
THE DEMAND FOR MEATS
No Reduction in Cost of Poultry.
Fruits Are Plentiful-But-
ter and Eggs.

now. was the remark of a butcher In
the Center market this morning. 1T is
not because they are unable to afford II.
but because they object to being imposed
on. and | don't blame them bit. The
wholesalers are shipping only what meat
they think they can sell at the advanced
prices. and If they have a surplus II Is
easy matter for them TO put II in
storage.
IF a great majority of the buyers
would follow the example set by the
few" the dealer added. something might
he Accomplished in the matter OF restor-
ing reasonable prices"
1t was stated by several beef butchers
this morning that they are frequently UNI
able to get back the money they pay Tor
their supplies. One dealer said he dis
posed of two quarters ~ beef one day
this week. cutting the meat close. and he
lost ~ cents on the deal. Pork products
are not quite so high as they were some
time ago. and veal is also much cheaper
than beef Porterhouse and sirloin steak
are quoted at - and 80 cents pound.
the prices not having decreased for sew
eral weeks. Ii is the belief OF so-1e or
the dealers that buyers will decrease
their meat orders as the weather gets
warmer Cooked ham is always in de-
mand however. although the demand is
greater in hot weather than during the
winter months. Dealers are selling
cooked smoked and fresh hams at b
cents a round jellied OK tongue at ~
cents. ielied roast chicken at ~ cents
and. English spiced beef at 81 cents. SAL
ads are also in demand during the sum-
mer months.
Heavy Demand for Poultry.
Poultry is not cheap yet. although the
demand is heavy. Spring chickens are
still scarce and high. fresh-ktled stock
hrir chilled stock =
cents a pound. 1t is expected that the
supply will increase in the near future.
but dealers do not expect the price Will
be lowered in time to benefit excursionistS
in preparing dinner for Decoration Day
trips Turkeys are still finding sale at
- and - cents pound although the
demand is not great. Long Island ducks
are quoted at - cents. while ordinary
ducks are ceiling at % cents. Fowls are
l6 cents and roasting and frying chickens
30 cents a pound
There is not much evidence of scarcity
of fruits. and dealers say the prices are
not high for the season. Canteloupes, cher
ries strawberries. hlackherries. huckleber-
ries. pineapples. apples. peaches. pears. or
anges bananas and lemons are among
the many varieties that are to be found
on the market benches. There is also a
great variety of vegetables. new corn be-
ing the latest addition to the already
large stock from which buyers may Sc
leCI. SOTe vi TIE srsl anu tHoiNVsA
branch berries ever seen in the local
markets were to be had this morning. the
best of them bringing as much AS 30
cents box. while the average price Is
from 10 to IL cents California cherries
are in demand at 80 cents a pound.
while cherries from the surrounding
country are selling al 90 cents a quart.
Blackberries and huckleberries are from
the Carolinas and are quoted al from ID
to % cents a box.
Pineapples Are Plentiful.
ineapples are about as plentiful now
as they will be at any time this s. .son.
and dealers say this is the best time to
get them for canning and preserving.
Florida pines, as they are called. are con-
sidered to be much better than those
from the islands and are in much greater
demand. The retail prices charged for
them range from to 20 cents. Apples.
russets and reds, are selling at 60 cents a
peck but the demand is not as great as
it was before the beginning of the berry
season. Oranges are not SO plentiful as
they were and prices are a little advanced.
ranging from 25 to 90 cents. Cantaloupes
find ready sale at from 10 to 20 cents
each Lemons are Is cents a dozen and
bananas are to be had at from to ID
cents.
Green corn is the leader in the vegetable
market. although the prices charged for
the Florida product are high and not
within reach of the average buyer. The
best of the corn brought 81 dozen earlier
in the week but 10 and % cents a dozen
were the prices asked today. New cab
bage. new potatoes and all the early green
vegetables are getting plentiful and prices
are lower. Lettuce. spring onions and
radshes are extremely plentiful and ID
tables to supply a family of six or eight
persons. Tomatoes are not so plentiful
as they have been and are not in such
good condition.
Crabs, Fish, Butter and Eggs.
The opening of several summer gar.
dens" this week has largely increased tho
demand for hard crabs, and the change
in the temperature has been the means of
increasing the supply. While the whole
sale price of crabs is considerably lower
than it was few days ago. the retail
price remains at % cents a dozen. the
regular price at all times the crabs are
in market. Soft crabs are more plentiful
and larger. those from the vicinity OF
Crisfield and the islands along the eastern
shore being larger and in better condi-
ton than those from other places. Deal
ers were asking ~ cents a dozen for the
best crabs today. the smaller ones selling
as cheap 40 cents dozen. Crab meat
and crab flakes are in great demand and
are much better than earlier in the sea-
son. The meat is selling AT 80 cents and
the flake at 40 and ~ cents quart
Shad are becoming scarce and higher
in price The roe shad received from
mort hern waters. dealers say. are in
splendid condition. and are finding ready
sale at 81. while the buck are selling at
~ cents each. Potomac FISH are not
plentiful. but the salt water product is
coming TO hand TO take their place. This
week dealers have received number OF
sturgeon and have been able TO smoke
some for the retail trade Fresh
are not plentiful at 20 cents q
pound and dealers are able to sell all the
smoked fish they can offer at so cents.
Smoked cells are also in demand at -
cents pound. dealers being unable 10 get
sufficient to supply the trade. Salt water
trout are plentiful and in demand at from
12le TO Is cents. Big white perch and
rock fish are scarce and high.
There has been but little change In
the butter and egg market since last
week. Eggs are selling at 20 cents a
dozen, % cents being charged for spe-
Gals. Butter is quoted at from 30 10 Rs
cents pound. and cheese is easier. the
new product selling at ~ cents a pound.
Ordered by the Commissioners.