Evening star., 1927-10-22
OYSTERS SCARCE
AND HIGHER HERE
Strict Enforcement of Law
on Taking BivaIves From
Water Is Reason.

Strict enforcement of the law gov.
erning the size of oysters permitted
to be taken from the waters of Mary
land and Virginia is reflected at Munci-
pal Fish Market. receipts being small
and prices high. Under the provisions
of the law, 1t Is stated. Oystermen are
required to return to the water all
oysters less than three inches In
length.
(Which means" commented dealer
at the local market today, that every
time an oysterman catches 10 bushels
of oysters he has to return five (
them to the water.
Catching and returning so large
percentage of the bivalveS," he added.
largely inc. eases the cost of the catch
and enforcement of the law probably
has resulted in many persons abandon
ing the business"
Whatey err may be the cause, the
dealer. stated, receipts have become
much lighter and prices much higher.
oysters this week took jump OF ap-
proximately so cents a gallon.
Higher Oysters Seen.
Standards, the smallest oysters per-
mitted to be sold, were selling today
ut S2.25 a gallon; selects at $3.50 and
extra selects at SO. 1t was predicted
by the dealer that oysters for the
and Christmas holiday
seasons will cost much more than
prices quoted today.
Barrel stock also has become scarce
and prices higher. It Is believed by
dealers that high prices will mean a
decided curtailment Of the number of
fnv
Supplies of marine products of all
kinds have been scarce and high the
past few days. due, dealers say, to the
severe nor'easter that prevailed along
the coast. The storm was so severe.
it Is stated, that fishermen were un-
able to fish their nets and many boats
were swamped, according to reports.
Pollock and haddock were the only
fish offered at cheap prices the past
few days. the former selling at and
the latter at z cents pound, and fflet
of haddock. boneless and good seller,
was quoted at 18 cents, only slightly
higher than normal prices.
Fancy Seafood Offered.
While most Of the better varieties
of fish were scarce and high. it Is
stated. there was scarcely any other
than fancy stock to be offered, and
prices also were fancy. Bluefish was
the most expensive variety offered for
the Friday trade, dealers quoting them
at 35 cents, while rockf1sh, also very
scarce, brought 80 cents.
Speckled trout and Boston mack
erel, fish that always find ready sale,
readily brought rs cents a pound,
while founders, another favorite fish,
were so scarce that the price was
run up to 20 cents. Trout Of or
dinary varieties sold at from 121a to
20 cents, much higher than when the
fish are plentiful.
Both hard and soft crabs are prac.
tically off the market. according to
reports of dealers, and there is no
demand for them. There is fair
for the crab meat, however.
prices of the three grades being so.
60 and 70 cents a pound.
Included in the list Of fish offered
the week end trade, and prices quoted
yesterday. were the following: Nor.
folk spots. Is cents a pound; halibut.
20 and 25 cents: salmon, 20 cents, and
croakers, Is cents. Dealers hope
Of the storm will mean
the return to work Of the fisherman
and a return to cheaper prices Of
their catches.
Tomato Prices Rise.
Recent rains resulted in change of
prices Of vegetables from nearby
and Virginia farms. The
ground became so wet that growers
were unable to do the ordinary
Of gathering, they reported,
and because Of the lateness of the
season the vegetables were not so
plentiful. Growers are hoping there
will be no early frosts to interfere
with or terminate the growing Of veg.
etables.
Price Of tomatoes took a big ad-
vance yesterday, partly due to the
muddy condition of the ground and
partly to the fact that the season for
the popular vegetable Is fast drawing
to a close. Tomatoes that found slow
sale few days ago at % and so cents
a basket went to $1.50 and 50. the
baskets holding two pecks. The green
was offered at so cents
basket.
Spinach, sold a few days ago at so
and rs cents a basket. brought 81 and
S1.25 yesterday. Cabbage continued
cheap, however. dealers gladly accept
ing a price of 81 barrel or SO cents
u puSIlclI dIlu lAC OlLcICu was
first-class. according to dealers.
Dealers also reported that turnips
continue cheap. They have had i'm
mense supplies of the vegetable on
hand the past few days. The demand
was light, however, at so and IS cents
4 bushel. Peppers, both green and
red, sold at rs cents a basket.
1t Is believed that corn soon will be
off the market. The wet weather has
affected the growing corn, but dealers
hope a few days of dry weather will
have q good effect upon it. Sacks of
five dozen ears yesterday sold at $3.50
and $1.75. and some of it was not Of
the best quality.
Lima Beans on Stands.
Lima beans are still to be had, re-
ceipts being fairly heavy, but not as
heavy as last week. Dealers quoted
them at 80 cents a quart or 50
bushel. A bushel of we'll filled pods,
it is stated. should shell out about
eight quarts.
Liberal supplies Of potatoes con-
tinue to be received. The demand the
past few days was moderate. making
q steady market. Prices of nearby
stock continue the same as last week,
but wet weather has prevented farm
ers from digging them the past few
days.
Shipped potatoes the past few days
were reported by the Department Of
as follows: Michigan, $50.
D0und sacks ruSSet rlIr9lS II g No