Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-24
PRICES Of TURKEYS
SLUMP IN MARKET.
Chain Store Offerings De.
press VaIues-Fruits in
Good Supply.


Early morning conditions about Cen.
te. Market suggested the possibility
of the closing Of n Christmas holiday
season turkey market entirely un
to merchants. Early in
the holiday season it had been pre-
dicted that a retail turkey market
OF $3.50 cents would prevail. but the
closing promises to fall far below such
figures.
one reason for the slump in prices,
according to dealers, was the lower
ing of prices by chain stores, another
being that consumers held off buy
ing until the last minute. Maryland
aud Virginia haulcrS did not appear
in market az early as usual with their
supplies of turkeys. giving the impress.
sion that there might he "a shortage Of
the nearby turkeys.
Thursday afternoon and Yesterday
however. they came in large numbers
and retailcd turkeys on the country
line as low as IS cents. In numerous
instances, according to reports. deal
ers offered turkeys at retail az low az
40 cents, wholesale prices also drop
ping.
w auC VI tItC5s
II was reported this morning that
sales as low as 80 cents we're made
many buyers putting their purchases
i'm storage for business later In the
season. A wide range OF prices was
reported this morning quality of the
turkeys being a determining factor.
Buying was more brisk yesterday
afternoon and this morning. Dealers
may have fairly large quantities on
their hands at the close of the market
tonight.
Seasonable fruits, always in dema nd
for the Christmas holiday season,
have been received this week in guam
titles sufficiently large TO fll all de.
mands Apples. always a leader in
the fruit market. are coming in mod
crate quantities and are finding ready
sale at prevailing prices.
A moderate demand for the fruit
from Maryland. Virginia. Pennsyi,
vania and the West made the market
steady and few sales Of barrel stock
to retailers was reported. Prices
ranged from 81 TO $3.50.
Box stock from Washington we're
quoted at from SIS To S4.25. while
bushel baskets OF Virginia apples were
quoted AT from 81. SIS To s3.9s and Penn.
sylrania stock. No. Romes. We're
quoted at s1.7S and 50.
Cranberries. so much desired "a a
turkey dinner accompaniment, have
been less plentiful than formerly and
prices this week have been correspond
inCiy higher. Massachusetts stock
half bushel late varieties. sold at from
$3.50 to Sli. the retaf price running
at about - cents n pound.
Citrus Fruit Supplies.
Moderate supplies Of Florida and
California oranges. grapefruit and tan
cerines were reported most of the
week. making "A steady market. Flor
ida grapefruit. as To grade and size
were quoted Mt $3.50 and $4.2a.
Florida oranges were quoted at vari-
ous prices. according In size and con
dition. and tangerines. in good demand
for decorative and eating purposes.
received in half-box lots, were quoted
at from 81 To $5.35.
Christmas greens crowded vege.
tables To the outer lines of Farmers
Market this week There was room
enough left for haulers Of poultry
eggs. country butter and other farm
products. however. but butter. eggs
and poultry were most in demand
The Florida tomato is one Of the lead
ers in the weeks vegetable market.
lima beans, strinSless beans. celery
and lettuce being other vegetables
that found ready sale. Moderate sup
plies of tomatoes met light demand
that made the marke, steady. prices,
according 20 size and condition, rang
ing from SIS to -.
Dealers had liberal supplies OF let
tuce from Arizona and California, and
a moderate demand and steady mar
ket was reported. They also had liher
nj supplies of celery from California
and New York, prices quoted ranging
from 81 80 tn s. n crate.
Moderate supplies Of cabbage. onions
spinach and POTATOES were reported
demand making the market firm "t
steady savoy type spinach from the
Norfolk. Va. section found ready sale
at $40 and si.io. Potatoes. $50
rnund sacks were quoted as low As
$3.ls, the highest price heing 1885.
Other Quotations.
Reporting upon the condition Of the
MI either vegetables, the De
partmcnt OF Agriculture Bureau Of
Economics printed the following;
Cucumbers--Supplies very light. too
few sales reported to quote.
Penpers- Supplies light: demand
light. market dull: Florida. pepper
crates. fancy. s,oaa2,sS; few high as
: so
Essplan,~~s Supplies light; demand
light. market dun; Florida. pepper
crates, fancy. mostly around @,2S;
poorer, low M zoo.
Carrots Supplies very light; too few
sales reported to quote.
Beets supplies light; demand light.
market dull: Texas. Western lettuce
crates. punched. $50. Fior,da, pepper
crates. loose, 300.
ttuulitlower supplies moderate, de
mand light. mostly around 80; few
high ms 80.
Kale Supplies moderate; demand
moderate. market steady; Virginia.
Norfolk section. cioth.top veneer har'
rels, t..aai.iO,
business at Municipal Fish Marke,
this week has heen about as quiet AS
usual at this season III the year. de
mands for most marine products dur
ing the Christmas holiday season
usually heins limited,
Live iohstrrs, received from Boston
and Maine shippers, were In greatest
dena nd. according to dealers, usually
he,ng IN demand At this season To
he served at holiday dinners. hrosied
live lobster heinz considered an attrac'
live feature at such ahatrs,
i.ohster supplies Adequate.
Dealers quoted a price of 20 cents
a pound for the HOLSTERS and the sup
ply. 1t was stated, was only about
equal 10 the demand, the htsh price
not reducing the demand
Both live and cooked shrimp were
In fair demand for cocktails and
atads. Dealers had plentiful supplies
NJ the cooked shrimp most of the week