Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-07
VEGETABLE PRICES
ARE FAIRLY STEADY
Egg Markets Advance, Fruits
in Downward Trend,
Potatoes Stronger.

Early April markets have shown
rather more losses than gains in prices
of farm products, says the United States
Department of Agriculture, Bureau of
Agricultural Economics, Market News
Service. But. in general, a good part
Of the March rise has been retained.
Egg markets continue to advance I'M
der moderate receipts, but dairy mar
kets are unsettled under increasing pro-
duction. Live stock prices are irregular.
with fairly good undertone. Cash grain
prices are irregular, but mill feeds still
tend upward. Potatoes sold lower at
Chicago in early April, but were main
tanned at Eastern country shipping
points.
Vegetables Lower.
Most fruits and vegetables showed
downward tendency during the early
part of April. Western New York coun-
try potato markets advanced slightly,
and Maine was a little stronger. The
Chicago carlot market was considerably
lower on all arrivals. Yellow sweet po-
tatoes from Maryland and Delaware
were tending downward, while stock
from New Jersey was stronger. North
Carolina Porto Ricans held steady.
Old onions from storage held steady
Michigan shipping districts. South
eastern asparagus brought s2.25 to
$3.50 per crate for medium-size stalks.
Florida tomatoes declined. Ten inter-
mediate States expect to plant a total
of 40,590 acres of tomatoes this season,
or /, 440 more than last year. Baldwin
apples weakened slightly in Western
New York.
Butter Fairly Steady.
Butter markets of early April ruled
steady in the larger Eastern cities, al
though neither buyers nor sellers ex-
pressed a great deal of confidence In
the general situation. The majority Of
the trade feel that the comparatively
low prices which have prevailed through
out the entire country during the past
few months have been of considerable
influence in stimulating consumption.
Indications are that the make of but
ter during March continued to exceed
that of year ago. Butter-fat prices,
in comparison with the prices of other
farm products, have been, and continue
to be, quite satisfactory.
Tone of cheese markets was easy to
weak in producing sections the first
week of April. Trading showed some
1dll1lS Oll III NOAlllllC AAOh1 PACNtOAo
week at all points except possibly Bos-
ton. Canadian markets showed a de-
clining price trend.
Eggs Tend Higher.
The smaller receipts of eggs near the
first of April, combined with the in
creased retail buying, caused the mar
ket to advance fully l cent. The de-
crease in shipments was partly the re-
suit of weather conditions, but lighter
output was also in line with earlier ex-
pectations and tended to improve trade
sentiment. Receipts of fresh-killed fowl
were noticeably light, but the efforts OF
some dealers to secure premiums caused
many buyers to turn to frozen stock for
a part of their requirements. Demand
for nearby freSh-kiiled broilers con-
tinued firm and the market was strong
on the fancy grades. Broilers of irregu-
lar quality, however, were difficult to
move.
Cattle Markets Slow.
While an extreme top of SLOTS was
made at Chicago for heavy steers, cat
tie grading choice sold more generally
around the $40 figure. with only small
sprinkling above $10.25. Best yearlings
stopped at $10.25, with the bulk of all
fat steers and yearlings selling at $3.50
to $3.50.
The early April hog market responded
to reduced supplies, with moderate price
upturns. An increased proportion Of
the lightweight hogs were in well fin
ished condition, but the average quality
of hogs from the Fall crop had pre-
viously been plain. Strong weight
butchers of good and choice grade pre-
dominated, with pigs and packing sows
in limited quota.
Prices of fat lambs scared to the
highest levels of the Winter season.
Tennessee, California and Texas con-
tribYted fairly Sixable supply Of
Spring lambs going direct to packers,
with marketward movement from these
sources considered about two weeks
earlier than normal.
The recent activity in domestic woods
has substantially reduced the spot sup
ply, and the selection has become re-
stricted with number of houses. The
trend of wool values, while slightly up
ward, has not kept pace with the adj
vances reported in foreign markets.
Cash Grain in Good Demand.
Grain markets of early April reflected
the weakening influence of generally
favorable new crop prospects. Moderate
offerings OF cash grain met steady de-
mand, but prices of most feed grains
and rye declined with futures Flax
was slightly lower influenced by a fur
ther decline at Buenos Aires and the
slow demand for oil The corn market
turned weaker, largely as a result of a
continued slow demand from consuming
areas. Approaching pasturage in many
sections, together with prospects of in
creased acreage of oats and barley which
will be available to supplement corn
supplies early in the Summer were also
weakening influences. The oats market
weakened along with other feed grains.
Barley also worked lower.
Prices of wheat mill feeds continued
their sharp upward trend. Prices near
the first of April were the highest since
last September. Offerings have been
light as indicated by flour production
at the principal milling centers.
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