Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-14
Government Review Of
Fruit and Vegetable
Markets Of the u. S.

August 4, inclusive, and prices to jon
bers, July 31-August 6, inclusive).
With the advance of summer and the
abundance Of homegrown products, whole
sale prices of fruits and vegetables are
generally lower. sharp curtailment Of
peach supplies and fewer shipped-in pota-
toes resulted in firm market tone for
those commodities. Midwestern potatoes adj
vanced considerably. Larger volumes If
cantaloupes. grapes, onions and pears were
shipped during the week ending August 4,
but the combined movement of 10 produces
showed a further decrease of so cars
Iotsl shipments were IA, 400 cars.
CautaIsupe Prices Well Maintained
The present cantaloupe season has been
notable for its relatively high prices. I'm
perial Valley cantaoupes were distributed
more evenly than ever before and supplies
from all other sections have been quite
limited. Only during early July were ac-
foundations in city markets SO great as to
cause temporary slump in wholesale val
ueS.
The 1922 season in Imperial Valley was
ranged high. More normal conditions pre-
vailed this year. A good volume of canta'
ioupes got an early start from California,
those of 1922 until md-June, although
they ranged $A7 per standard crate. TIE
last two weeks of June values exceeded
NOSE OF Lne same perlcQ u year ago. pH
early July they declined almost to the
1922 level, but since they have been con-
Stantly. higher in most consuming centerS.
notwithstanding recent declines, prices
still average at least ST per standard era
above last seasons figures and somewhat
above the 1921 mid-season range. 1t is
little wonder that restaurants charge
l5-2Gc for half good cantalOupe.
Western growers, as we'll as those in
eastern and central sections, can have bur
little fault to find with cash returns this
season. Imperial Valley, where this prod
uct is raised on a larger scale than any
where else, seems we'll satisfied with the
deal. From a much smaller acreage, prac-
tically as many carloads were shipped Al
last season, the record year. Total output
to August was u, 165 cars only 15
less than in 1922. Very little competition
was encountered from Georgia, because
that state marketed only 210 cars of can
taloupes, compared with 1,G30 year ago,
and Florida shipped only 40 carloads, Or
less than one-fourth It's 1922 volume. The
Rio Grande valley of Texas was the only
early section to furnish more cantaloupes
than last season.
Home grown melons are now an important
feature of many markets The shipped-in
supply from leading intermediate states has
been far below last years. Arizonas season
is closing with a record Of less than 200
cars; the 1922 total was about 1850 cars.
North Carolina will soon be through and has
shipped only 535 carloads to date. Mary
lands volume thus far has been only half
of last seasons, but movement is very
active. Delaware had marketed less than
100 cars to August 4, compared with 400
year ago, while Indiana and Arkansas have
shipped only about one-third OF last season
early output. At this time in 1922 those
two states had completed their seasonal
movement Of cantaloupes.
The (. o. b. market at Turlock, Cal, Is
good index OF the present situa ton in the
west. In spice of SO per cent Increase in
weekly shipments from that section, cash
track prices advanced to $500 per standard
crate, and "f. o. b. usual terms sales
closed at 1926, Jobbing prices Of $3.50eD
$50 compare more than favorably with the
low range of $2.50@3O0 in eastern and mid
western cities last August A year ago Chi
cago dealers received $1.15 per flat crate
for New Mexico pink meats. but now Sill
is the usual price. Arizona stock in stand
ard crates still is bringing s3.50@4.00, com.
pared with $3.50 at the end of last seasoo,
and Indiana and Arkansas salmon tnts are
$1.00 higher than in early August, 1922.
Price levels for eastern green meats range
80 per cent above last seasons. But the
sharpest contrast relates to western honey
dews, which apparently are Increasing
public favor. Just a year ago city sales Of
these melons were made generally at 81. 00@
| rs per crate, but the present range is $500
05.00. Growers surely must agree that the
in cantaloupe acreage has been of
decided benefit.
As in other states. movement from Col
orado has been greatly delayed. Colorado
shipped more than 400 carloads last season
and 5000 in 1921. Paintings this year are
80 per cent less than those Of 1922, but still
1 800 acres above those Of two seasons ago.
from the Rocky Ford section may
not become heavy before September 1, and
movement has scarcely begun.
Potatoes Steady to Firm
slight boost in eastern potato prices
occurred about the middle of the week,
but most gains were soon lost as weekend
supplies increased. No. l Cobblers closed
q
Total arrivals of $50 cars in Kansas City
failed to break that market, thereby ind1-
eating heavy diversions. An upward swing
took place at central and western shipping
points, with advances of 2Jc per 100 pounds
on sacked Early Ohios and Cobblers. This
doubtless will encourage a larger move
ment from those sections. Kansas and
Missouri potatoes sold higher in the Chi
cago carlot market at $1.75M2.15, and Cob
blers ranged up to $1.85 i'll Kansas City.
The relative scarcity of New Jersey pota-
toes is reflected in +. o. b. prices nearly
three times those OF last August, as 100
81 10 in South Jersey. Aggregate shipments
for the week decrease 260 cars, because
of diminishing supplies from the eastern
shore Of Virginia and Maryland. Movement
from New Jersey, Long Island and Colorado
is getting in full swing, but Kansas shipped
more potatoes than any other state.
Peach Supplies Decrease
First crest of the seasons peach ship
ments passed, as the weeks output fell
from 5000 to 2,S40 cars. Georgia's move
ment alone decreased $50 cars, and Cali
fOrnia's 1000 cars, but Arkansas shipped
nearly 400 cars compared with 40 the pre-
vious week. The seasons total to date is
about LOCO cars in excess of last years
early shipments. Regardless Of fairly heavy
receipts. New York wholesale market
showed upward trend, Georgia Elbertas
in bushel baskets touching 1928. firm
tone prevailed in other cities North Caro-
lima stock also closed slightly higher, but
final sales Of Arkansas Elbertas declined
in st. Louis to range of $2.25@2.50 per
bushel, under heavy arrivals,
Watermelon Markets Unsettled
No consistent trend is apparent in water
melon prices the season wanes. Demand
seems to be abating, although good melons
of large size still range high, Some sales
load in New York. The Kansas City mar
ket holds well for Texas Tom Watsons
and has already shipped 400 cars. or 600
more than all OF last season.
Other Fruits and Vegetables
Apple shipments decreased slightly, be.
cause Of big drop in Delawares move
prominent shipping states Prices of east
ern stock in New York City closed lower
at $1.25@1.75 per bushel. Virginia cab
bage brought $65 per ton on the Baltimore
market and sold at $2.00@3.00 per crate
elsewhere.
at 5000; lower undertone on western
6l2.00; bulls not moving; light venlers
lower Mt $3.50; few stockers steady.
Sheep, receipts. $500; fat lambs strong
to 25c higher; top to butchers, $3.50;