Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-28
RECORD IN FRUITS
AND VEGETABLES
Volume Consumed in Wash
ington, 1920, Likely to Ex-
coed That of Banner. Year.

Washington housewives are heavy
purchasers of apples. cantaloupes
cabbages, onions, peaches. strawber.
ries. tomatoes and potatoes. and con.
sumption of these eight articles has
been progressively increasing in the
capital since 1916. according to a re.
port on fresh vegetables and fruits
made public today by the bureau OF
markets, Department of Agriculture.
Although the volume of the eight
articleS brought into Washington de-
cllned slightly in 1919 over the fig
ures for 1918. available returns fol
.ne nrst four months of this year in
create larger consumption of the eight
1resh fruits and vegetables than lr
1918. the record year.
In that year carload shipments OF
the eight vegetables to Washington
exclusive of the amounts brought into
ms city by wagon, truck and small
river craft. were 2.S35 cars. In 1919
with part of the federal workers gone
and the transient population de-
creased. car-lot receipts dropped to
2,444
White Potatoes Lead.
"hlte potatoes led in the number
OF carloads of these fruits and vege-
tables entering into consumption In
the clty,s early supplies come from
north Carolina. while Florida and
south Carolina furnish smaller guam
tlt1es. Michigan. New Jersey and Vir-
gina are the normal sources of sup
ply for midsummer and late potatoes
put during the past two years. when
consumption was increased New York
and Wisconsin were called upon tc
assist in supplying the city.
Receipts of potatoes for the first
four months of this year were 1876
cars, as compared with 275 cars for
retailers paid for Michigan and Wis
conSin potatoes from April 21-27
1917. about Sc per hundred pounds
as against $3.50. in 1919. The per
capita unload of white potatoes in
Washington in 1919 was IA bushels
based on the 1920 census.
Apples Next in Order.
Apples followed white potatoes, in
the number of cars entering Wash
lngton. The state of Virginia con-
tributes the majority of Washington S
barreled apple supplies. while boxed
apples are furnished almost entirely
by the state of Washington. The
past four years was one car for every
966 residents, Florida and South
Carolina contribute practically all of
the early cabbage received in Wash
ington.
About "a per cent of the cantaloupes
received in Washington in 1919 came
from the states of California, Arizona
and Colorado. the balance having
come from eastern states. Car lot
contributions from Maryland and
The average number of cars of onions
entering into consumption at Wash
1ngton during the past four years
was 100; OF these about 20 per cent
were of the Bermuda variety from
Texas: Washingtonians ate about
one-fifth of bushel per resident
during the past four years.
Where Peaches Came From.
Practically all of the peaches con-
sumed in Washington came from Geor-
gia- Maryland and West Virginia In
1919 these three states furnished about
20 per cent of the total supply. The
Light supply in 1918. when only 13S
cars were unloaded. Notwithstanding an
increase in population. is a condition
which reflects the decreased production
in that year. as the total shipments re-
ported for 1918 amounted to 2O,4O9 cars.
as compared with 30,S92 in 1919, with
27.237 in 1917, and 23,OS3 in 1916
Washington is nearly self-supporting
in its supply of Strawberries. as the
homegrown stock from neighboring
areas during the local season fills the
car-lot season the city depends upon
North Carolina Strawberries begin to
arrive from that state in April. becom-
ing heavy in May and ending in June.
after stock from adjacent areas becomes
abundant.
The foregoing statements relative to
strawberry supplies are in a way true
concerning tomatoes For its early
tomatoes Washington depends heavily on
Florida. and in a less degree upon the
Crystal Springs district of Mississippi
Receipts from these states, however, end
the early part of July, when home
grown stock appears. Last year dur
ing August, September and October no
cars of tomatoes were reported unloaded
at Washington.