Milford chronicle., 1930-07-25
CROP CONDITIONS
ALONG ATLANTIC
COAST IMPROVING
Potato Prices Showing Re-
cOvery Since the Middle
OF July.

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increasing complaints of dry wea
ther in the South and West. Marke
supplies in carlots are ample il
most lines although shipping sea
sons continue a little later than in
1929. Prices as a rule are lower
than year ago.
Potato prices have shown some
recovery since the middle of the
month with more moderate ship
ments from important eastern pro-
ducing sections. Supplies are re-
ported moderate in most eastern
markets, demand fair and price
trend slightly upward. Virginia, Eas-
tern Shore stock selling at SO to
$3.50 a barrel in the large markets
shows gain of 25 cents since the
middle of July, and the price ruled
$2.75 in producing sections. Long
Island and New Jersey Cobblers
sell at 50 to 1925 per 100 pounds in
New York. This stock is likely to be
marketed slowly as long as prices
continue so far below last seasons
midsummer level. Prices showed a
slightly upward tendency in midwes-
tern markets and producing dis
tricts. A sale of old crop Maine
Green Mountains was reported in
Baltimore at $3.50 per 100 pounds,
probably one of the seasons last
sales of old stock.
The potato crop promises good
yield so far, although some injury
has been reported from drought this
month. Per capita production would
be about 3.2 bushels according to
July 1 report. The potato season is
shaping up much like that of 1927
which was a time of moderate pro-
duction and prices.
Eastern potato markets are dom
mated this month by the Eastern
Shore output, now supposed about
twO-thirds completed. Expectations
were for a movement slightly below
the 10000 carloads shipped last sea-
son but dry weather during the first
half of July may have affected con-
ditiOns in some districts.
Prices have recovered so cents per
barrel from the lowest of mid-July.
The cucumber crop around Sails
bury, Maryland, was showing effect
of dry weather, the second and third
weeks of July and shippers were ex-
pecting speedy end fthe local sea-
son under prevailing conditions.
Shipments continued moderately
heavy and prices nearly unchanged
for stock of good quality. A large
proportion of the output was below
best market grade because Of the
continued dry weather. Average re-
turns to growers were near 81 per
bushel.
Mid-seasOn onion shipments are
increasing with daily totals of 100
to $50 cars. Eastern markets report
generally moderate receipts and ra-
ther slow trade. Boston received two
or three carloads of Spanish onions.
Several eastern shipping sections
are increasing onion shipments
gradually. Massachusetts has been
sending out about rs cars daily
since the middle of the month and |
New Jersey shipments average |
about a dozen daily. Eastern Shore |
yellow onions sell in city markets.
mostly at $1.25 a bushel and New |
Jersey yellow stock at slips to $1.5O. |
New York yellow onions sell at 50 |
to $3.50 per 100 pounds and white
varieties are 50 to SO. Massachusetts
onions, mostly Japanese sets, sold at
$2.4 40 to $3.50 in Boston and were re-
ported at $3.50 to So in Connecticut
Valley producing sections with de-
mand light at shipping points and
market dull. Increased planting is
general in the main crop onion sec
tions. Indiana leads with $3.50
acres, followed by New York and
Ohio. July crop conditions were gen.
orally favorable.
Condition of the sweet potato
crop in July suggests rather poor
yield per acre but the increased
this season would bring the
production about to average of re-
cent years. Early sales of southern
sweets were reported at $12 per bar
rel in mid-July.
The heavy planting of field beans
and favorable growing conditions in
licate production possibly 20 per
cent ahead of last season and nearly
0ne-third more than the five-year
average. The increased production
nay be partly offset by reduced i'm
ports under new tariff rates, espe-
,ially if prices are not high enough
o attract outside supplies.
Northern and western tomato
in thirteen States shows in
,rease of about one-sixth above last
season and one-fifth more than the
i've year average. The gains are
luite general including increases of
extent in New York, Penn
ylvania, Delaware, Ohio. Kentucky.
Combined acreage of the late crop
S the largest since 1926 Shipments
If mid-season tomatoes have been !
prices tended upward >
lightly in northern markets but !
hippers received scarcely more
han half the prices of a year ago. !
uly conditions of the tomato crop
howed considerable improvement I
ver June figures and percentage /
vas about the same as a year ago !
ut dry weather since the reports
we're issued has reduced the pros
ects in some districts.
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