Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-19
CROPS IN FLORIDA
DAMAGED BY FROST
Effect of Vegetable Shortage
Is Felt in D. c.
Market.

Growers OF fruits and vegetables in
Florida have been hard hit this season.
four frosts and one rainy spell having
ruined growing crops and caused i'm
n1ense losses. In many instances, ac-
cording to reports received by local
merchants. crops, especially those of
string beans, were entirely lost. The
most recent cold spell resulted in a de-
cided shortage of receipts, but growers
in Mexico and Cuba came to the as
sistance of the local dealers
Higher prices of vegetables resulted
from the decreased receipts. but re-
ceipts. 1t was reported, we're great
enough to meet demands at increased
prices. The changed condition of the
fresh vegetable market is believed to
have increased the demands for can
ned vegetables.
Dealers Take Precaution.
During the several days that the
temperature was below the freezing
point it became necessary for dealers
TO take extra precautions against freez-
ing OF the tender vegetables received
from sections where the climate was
warm enough to assist the growing
vegetables.
Very few losses resulted from the
cold weather it is stated. dealers COW
erlng their stocks or taking them in
doors. In a few instances. it is stated
quantities of lettuce and new cabbage
were affected or ruined by the cold
None of the shipments of potatoes and
other vegetables we're affected
Prices OF most commodities at the
close OF the weeks market promise to
be much different from prices quoted
early in the week. An easing of the
egg market was reported and butter
prices were slightly lower. Poultry
prices continue high. and slight f1uctua-
tons in meat prices were reported
Price of lamb is higher than during
The past several weeks.
Cold and damp weather part of the
week had the effect of reducing the
number Of early morning buyers. re-
Su!tlng In business being reported as
only fair. Later in the day the num-
Der of buyers usually increased.
Yesterday mornings wholesale trade
was better than during TIE early part
OF the week, and retailer1 were out in
1alrly large numbers this morning, all
wanting first pick of commodities. Bust
ness has picked up considerably the past
week or more. dealers report. and soon
they will be giving much thought to the
question OF supplies for the inaugural
period.
Today's Wholesale Prices-Jobbers'
Prices Slightly Higher.
pound prints. 47a48: tub,
46i2a47; store packed, 30a35.
Eggs-Hennery. 40; fresh selected. 81
a38; current receipts, IS: storage, 3Oa32.
Poultry, alive-Turkeys, 37a38: Spring
chickens. 35a36: Leghorns, 80: fowls,
28a30: ROSTERS, 19a20: ducks. 25: geese.
20: keats, young, 50a60; old. 30 Dressed
Turkeys. 40a45; Spring chickens, 3Sa
40; Leghorns. 30a32; fowls. 30a32: ca
largo dSodE.
32a33; geese, 25a30: keats. 80aI 90.
Meats fresh killed-Beef. 20a23:
veal. 24a27: lamb. 30a32: pork loins, ga
%; fresh hams. 23a24: fresh shoulders.
II; smoked hams. 25a26; smoked shoul-
der$ II; bacon, 20a22; lard, in tins.
1872; in tubs, IS.
Live stock-Calves, 16isal7; lambs,
i3a14
Game-Rabbits, 30a35.
Aside from efforts of local merchants
TO protect their supplies from the cold
weather there has been nothing in the
wholesale district this week to cfface
evidences Of the warmer weather pre-
vailing elsewhere. Fancy fruits of nu-
merouS varieties and vegetables of
practically every variety, some of the
latter grown under glass. were tempt
h1gly displayed. In instances of ex-
tremely high prices, however, the de-.
uldn0S were not great
Banana dealers had large supplies of
the tropical fruit, receipts in Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York having been
in excess of demands this week. It S
stated by local wholesalers that de-
mands for the fruit in cold weather
drop more than so per cent, and whole
salerS in Baltimore are reported to have
distributed much ripe fruit among their
employees this week rather than let it
spoil and be relegated to the garbage
can.
Oranges, mostly Florida stock, con-
tlnued in plentiful supply throughout
the week. most of them being small and
selling at low prices. Retailers offered
them as low as Is cents dozen, larger
fruit selling at higher prices Gov
eminent reports for one day this week
showed total of 300 carloads of the
fruit en- route to various destinations.
Smaller Citrus Crops.
Local dealers heard that Florida
growers had anticipated banner crop
OF both oranges and grapefruit this
season. Weather conditions affected
the growing fruits, however, and, it is
stated, much of the fruit dropped from
the trees or failed to mature properly
Smaller fruit and smaller crops re-
suited, according to reports. and rar-
load after carload of windfalls were
shipped in bulk to various sections re-
mote from Florida.
A light demand for oranges made
the market steady throughout the week,
dealers reported. and there is every
indication that the fruit will continue
plentiful No. Florida fruit this
morning was quoted at $3.50 and $375,
some extra fine fruit selling slightly
higher. No. 2 fruit was quoted at So
and $3.50. Prices of grapefruit ranged
from 50 to 81 a box. TangarineS are
selling at Sl.50 to SO for half boxes.
New York, Pennsylvania. Virginia.
Oregon and Idaho growers are supplying
many of the apples offered on the local
and other markets. Government re-
ports for one day carly in the week told
of 3i3 carloads of the fruit being in
transit. Moderate receipts and light de-
mand this week continued a steady con-
dition of the market Prices. as to size
and quality. covered wide range. The
demand for the fruit was light, making
the market steady. The berries sold
around rs cents quart. Cranberries
continued in light supply this week, half
barrel boxes selling at 50 and Sill.
New asparagus, grown under glass at
AStabula. Ohio. appeared in the local
market this week. first of the season. the
punches. small. selling at SIS a dozen.
The vegetable is shipped in l0-dozen
lots and carefully wrapped
French endive. imported from Bel
gum, also appeared in the local market
this week. II is carefully packed in
small boxes and reached here in the best
possible condition. 1t came in 1o-dozen
boxes and sold AT $2.75 and So box
Mushrooms in 3-pound baskets, re-
Ceived in fine condition. have been fairly
plentiful this week. They were in good
demand at 81 and Sl25 a basket
Heavy receipts of peppers from Florida
the past few days we're offered from 81