Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-05
DAMAGE TOPOTATOES
FULLY CONFIRMED

IOGllduus Va, Jan. O,--Al uOuDb lUdI
a very large per cent Of the potato crop
Of the Pacific northwest was nipped by
the recent cold weather has been dis
PEELED by latest advices from various
sections.
Coming as it did over a month be-
fore the normal time for cold weather
the freeze caught many Of the farm.
ers of the three states unprepared.
Many Of them had not yet dug their
potatoes while others had placed them
in shallow pits.
w. w. Broadlus the well.lnown
potato buyer, who makes the north
west territory for Weyl-Iuckermm
company of California, with headquar.
ters at Portland, has just returned
from his second trip Of the season to
the Yakima section
The visit there caused Mr.. Broaddus
to completely reverse his opinion ex-
pressed about six weeks or so ago in
these columns, that the crops Of the.
northwest were so heavy that the price
would likely remain low.
Z" made close examination Of the
potato situation in the Yakima section
on my second visit and what ! found
caused me to change my former opin-
ions. Fully half of the potatoes of that
| district has been caught by the col
weather, Most Of the potatoes, ! found,
were in shallow pits and the freeze was
so deep that it extended below them.
al dug into some of these pits and
found that my conclusions were true,
and the same view was entertained by
J the leading potato interests of Puget
/ Sound.p
These facts have already caused buy
ing of potatoes in the Yakima section
by California interests and quick
advance in the price has already re-
suited there. Locally, the market is
firm but quiet, with few growers at
present offering. Selling price along
the street remains firm at 81 a GENITAL
for best
Butter Is Weaker.
The forecast drop of 2lac a pound
occurred in the local creamery butter
market this morning and was practical
ly general. This places the price of
best prints at 32c pound in case lots.
Less than case lots sell at an advance
Of lac above this
The drop in the price of butter mere
has really been in preparation for
about a week. About that time weak
ness began to develop in the local trade
because Of the freer offering by com
try makers at lower prices. Stocks Of
city make began to pile mp, and n drop
in value was the only solution,
The drop in the price Of butter here
is not occasioned by any feat Of for
cign butter, because there is short.
age at most European centers, which
will easily take care of whatever stocks
New Zealand or Australia have to of.
fer. While few small shipments
from the English colonies ma be eN.
pccted stll the volume viii likely be-
too small to have any material effect
upon conditions along the Pacific 'lopc.
Eggs Are Lower
The egg market continues to reflect
much weakness, and prices are again
showing spread for similar quality.
Sales were reported generally along
the street today at 3jc n dozen, A
few were not able to get this price and
were reported selling down TO 3lc, but
sin others said they were getting 3bc
in limited way.
Receipts of fresh eggs are showing
another material increase along the
street, and with still greater pressure
to sell from storage interests, the mar
ket is ON the sick list
1t was reported today that some Of
the big shippers Of the Willamette val
ley have been badly "stung' as n re-
suit Of their heavy storing Of eggs this
season. Most Of these supplies are
still ON hand. One Salem firm sent
several eases to Il local commission
house today aud they were found "a
he in very bad shape and will prob
ably be dumped. These eggs were sent
to market, according to receivers as
fresh stock, Careful candlmg by th,
receivers soon disclosed the fact that
the country shippers were trying tt
. q.