Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-20
VEGETABLE PRICES
REGISTER ADVANCE
U. S. Survey DiscIoses Better
Market for Grain, Feeds
and Potatoes.

Advances in grain, feeds and potatoes
we're the price features of the market
the middle of May and later, says the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
Market News Service. Somewhat unfa-
yorable crop conditions were the prin-
cipal basis of market recovery in these
lines. Berries approached the usual time
of greatest carlot supply, but prices held
fairly well and are considerably higher
than in late May, 1929. owing to rather
light production in some districts. But
ter, eggs and poultry are IN liberal sup
ply, with light demand and inclined to
lower prices. Live stock market did not
change much, although hogs moved a
shade lower and veal calves advanced,
reaching top of $13 at Chicago.
A few cantaloupes were arriving from
Mexico and many from Southern Cali
fornia in mid May. Honey Dew melons
were coming from South America. Prices
of cantaloupes in Imperial Valley de-
clined to a range of $3.50 to $2.65 per
standard crate OF As melons and city
dealers were getting $3.50 to So. There
was material advance in prices for
cabbage, onions and potatoes, with
strawberry markets still firm.
Cabbage Season.
The cabbage season opened in Vir-
ginia and Tennessee and increased move
ment was reported in Alabama, Missis-
sippi and North Carolina. Texas onions
advanced to 81 to $l.65 per crate in
Northern markets. Prices of potatoes in
Western New York declined to 1920 per
100 pounds, but then advanced after the
middle of May to $3.50. Northern Maine
went up to $2.35 on sacked Green Noun
tains and the North Central States gain
ed 80 cents. Dry weather materially re-
duced the strawberry crop In many ship
ping areas.
Prices 10 growers in North Carolina
declined slightly as the season in that
State closed, and q slight downward
tendency was noticed in some other
States, but terminal markets were fairly
firm, especially on good stock. The
season began In Virginia and Maryland.
The late May supply of berries should
not be excessive. Watermelon movement
began with two cars from Florida. Let
tuce is selling lower in Central Cali
fornia at $1.65 to $1.85 per crate,
though there was q good demand for
best stock. Condition Of the Georgia
peach crop is reported spotty over much
Of the territory after freezes Of the
past Winter and shipments may not
exceed $500 cars.
After the middle of the month prices
of eggs advanced from one-half to
three-fourths cents q dozen, following
the previous decline of ~ cents, and
the market became firm. Underlying
position Is hardly as good as usual at
the season because Of heavy production
and large holdings in cold storage.
Broiler Supply Light.
Fresh killed broilers were in light
supply, both Western and nearby stock,
and no difficulty was encountered In
moving those received In most cases at
premiums over quotations. The receipts
and supply of fowls were considerably
in excess Of the buying demand, with
the market in the main showing a
decided dragginess. Due to the liberal
supplies of fresh killed fowls, however,
the demand for fowls from cold storage
was exceedingly light. According to
the May cold storage report, the
holdings of frozen poultry are still large,
amounting to $4,000, 900 pounds ON that
date as compared with $4,000, 900
pounds q year ago and five-year aver
age Of 64,500, 900 pounds. There was,
however, sharp reduction in stocks
during April, the net storage movement
representing q decrease Of 1885, 900
pounds In comparison with o decrease
Of only s,458,o0o pounds for April last
year.