Evening star., 1927-04-02
TRADING IS BRISK
IN MARKET TODAY
Pre-Easter Season to Bring
Improvement in Dealings,
Produce Men Think.


weeks, increased trade usually being
experienced shortly before the Easter
holiday season. A generally draggy
condition of the market has been evi
denced the past few weeks, accord
ing to dealers. who appreciate that
such conditions usually exists during
the Lenten season.
Close of the Lenten season two
weeks hence is looked upon as time
for conditions to show big improve
ment. and heavy trading Good Friday
for the Saturday market trade prom
ises to renew activity in market cir
cles.
Fish dealers have been active dur
ing the prevailing Lenten season, the
past four weeks. At times fish have
been very plentiful, while at other
times they have been scarce and high,
and prices depended wholly upon the
question of supply and demand.
81. Big Catches of Rockfish.
Last week big catches of rock fish
and perch were reported, and small
catches of sIad and large catches OF
herring were reported by meters
along the lower Potomac and Chesa-
peake Bay. Prices took quite a drop
when the large catches were made,
but this week for some explained rea-
son the caICH uTOp6Q oi " ooSit eAi
eNt.nt that higher prices prevailed.
Live Holsters from Boston became
much more plentiful this week, ending
the almost prohibitlve prices that pre-
vailed earlier in the season. The price
dropped to SO cents a pound, low
price for so early in the season. NO
hard crabs have appeared IN lhe
market this season, and crab meat
continues scarce and high. :.
Soft crabs from the South, spiders,
as they are termed, are expected Ill
the local market the next few days,
and soft crabs from the Cheapeake
Raw and tributaries are expected next
month. They usually become fairly
plentifuI during the full moon pef'ou
in May. spiders, as the small
crabs are termed, usually are so small
that the demand for them is not
great. and prices usually are high.
shrimp and scallops, both good
sellers. have become more plentifui
and cheaper the past few days. Fresn
shrimp were quoted at 20 and the
r,oaled shrimp at so cents a pound.
oysters have become scarce the past
few DAYS, due to the oystermen ieaV-
ing the oyster beds and going TO the
fishing shores, a more profitable Dusl-
ness when the weather is warm.
Eggs at % Cents.
Dealers this morning expressed sur
prise that the egg market had become
- weak and pr.ces so low the past
feu davs. quoting a low price of 23
cents d dozen, probably the lowest
nrice experienced in years. Prices IN
s,aost other cities, it is stated, We're In
advance Of prices here. Prices most
Sc the week were around "a cents.
ii continued firm condition of the
butter market was reported this morn
ing, although there was drop OF
fraction of cent yesterday. In an
fIcipation of a weaker market next
week. dealers are refraining from
letting in heavy supplies of the dairy
Droduct. or keeping their floors
clean.,' as they put it. Local dealers
confidently expect a decreaSe OF at
least cents pound in butter prices
the coming week.
Prices I'M the poultry market nave
continued steady throughout the week.
There already is evidence of Increased
demands for big fat hens for the ap-
preaching Hebrew Feast of the Pass
over season, and demand for spring
chickens also is increasing.
Meat dealers are looking forward
ID the Easter holiday season I'm an
ticipation OF largely increased demands
FOR roasts, hams and steaks, legs OF
lamb usually being much in demand
during such season. Spring lambs
weighing 40 pounds and under are
quoted at 20 and % cents this morn
ing.
Banana Trade Active.
In the fruit market the greatest ac-
fisity is with the banana trade. The
tropical fruit continues plentiful and
cheap, according to reports of mer-
chants. and increased receipts the
coming week are expected. Local
dealers have received word that four
steamers. carrying approximately 1885,
900 punches OF the fruit, are bound
Tor Baltimore.
Apples continue plentiful, and prices
coVer a wide range, quality determin-
ing the price. Nearby growers are
still converting much of their fruit
into cider, an unusual condition, it is
stated, for so late in the season. Boxes
OF the fancy fruit from the Northwest
were quoted at about So this morning,
while barrel sock from Virginia sold
at $3.T5.
s Moderate supplies of grapefruit and
oranges were reported, the market on
the former being reported dull, while
the market on oranges was reported
Arm. Only light supplies of Florida
strawberries were reported, Mission
arys. shipped in pony refrigerators,
selling at 55 and so cents. Some, In
poor condition. sold as low as Is cents.
Vegetables From Florida.
In the list OF vegetables dealers Of
fered asparagus, string beans, cabbage,
carrots, cauliiower, celery, cucumbers,
eggplants, lettuce, kale, onions, pota-
toes, spinach, peppers. peas. squash,
tomatoes, radiShes, rhubarb and sweet
potatoes.
Much OF the vegetables are coming
from Florida, while South Carolina and
Georgia growers are supplying large
quantities of asparagus, the best quail
ity selling as high as 81, medium and
small sizes being quoted as low as
$3.50.
Wet weather yesterday morning
dampened the ardor of buyers and
kept many of them from market.
This mornings weather was damp,
but 1t did not keep dealers from mar.
ket, their week end trade calling for
new supplies of foodstuffs of all vari-
eties. Trading this morning was re-
ported fairly brisk.
T0day's Wholesale Prices.
Butter-Fresh. pound prints, 81
ass: tub, 52a53; store packed, 80
Eggs-Fresh, selected, 25a26; hen
merry, 27; current receipts. 23ha24.
Poultry, alive--Turkeys, 35; chick
ems, 40; Spring chickens, 45a50; fowls,
2Sa29: roosters, Is: ducks, 20a25; keats,
young. 65; old, 30a35.
Dressed-Turkeys. 3Sa39; old toms,
36a56; fowls, 80. capons, fancy, heavy,
35: smaller, 30a32; keats, young, Goa
20; old. 25a30; ducks, 2Sa30; chickens,
90.
Meats-Beef, 17al7iz; veal, 23a25;
lamb. 30: fresh hams. 26a2S: shoul
deFE, 20a21; loins. 2Sa30; smoked hams.