Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-27
MARKET FOR FARM
PRODUCTS EASIER
Prices Show Sagging Tend
enCy Toward End of Month.
Poultry Higher.

After the general advancing tendency
of the farm markets during the first
/ half of January, there was a time of
hesitation toward the end of the month,
with some price declines, says the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
Market News Service. On the whole,
the market tone continued fairly conf
dent. There were setbackS in the grain
and feed market after the middle of the
month. Cattle and hogs also tended
lower, but sheep and lambs made fur
ther price gains. Dairy products devel-
oped a flrmer price tone toward the
end of the month, with price advances
on butter in nearly all markets. Eggs
also sold little higher, compared with
ket on dressed poultry showed further
gains. The tendency of the fruit and
vegetable market was slightly down.
ward, without sharp price changes.
Butter Slightly Higher.
The advance in price of fresh butter
after the middle of the month brought
| increased offerings of storage stocks, but
the gains in price held fairly well. 1t
is generally believed that the make of
butter in. the larger dairy States is
holding about steady, with some sec
lions showing slight increases. The
! city milkmen, the condenseries and the
I shippers of sweet cream continue to
| turn their surplus into butter.
City cheese markets did not appreci-
ably reflect the strongest sentiment pre-
vailing at country shipping points after
the middle of January and prices gem
orally were unchanged.
Poultry Markets Improve.
Demand for poultry has continued
fairly active and markets remain firm
in late January. Prices have advanced
from to 3 cents during the month
and fancy stock commanded stable
premiums A great deal of the dressed
poultry now reaching the markets is OF
rather poor quality and of somewhat
uncertain value. Farmers sold most of
their best poultry before the holidays
and what they are now sending forward
is, on the whole, rather unsatisfactory
grade.
Receipts of fresh eggs have been lib
eral and in excess of requirements, re-
sulting in weak and declining condi-
tons much of the time during Janu-
airy. Prices have recovered slightly since
the middle of the month because OF
slightly heavier buying during the time
of lowest and most depressed market
conditions. There is still considerable
quantity of eggs in storage and the out
look for moving into trade channels
within the next few weeks does not
look very encouraging. Dealers are talk
ing of a price of 20 cents, to be paid
for eggs packed for storage at the be-
ginning of the season, but some are ex-
pOcting higher levels at that time.
Cattle and Hogs Lower.
Although marketings of cattle during
the third week of January were prac-
tically no greater than the moderate run
of the week previous, there were rather
severe price decline rejecting lower
prices and poor demand for dressed beef.
Prices showed a loss of so cents to 81 on
the various kinds about the third week
of January.
The marketWard movement of hogs
continued liberal, another week of heavy
receipts, but demand was also compare
lively broad. Heavy hogs were mod
erately lower the third week of January
compared with week earlier, but price
fluctuations were narrow and the I'M
dertone Of the trade healthy. Lambs
advanced in price despite an increase
Of about $4,000 in receipts at II market
centers, and prices were the best of the
Winter season so far. MarketingS ex-
banded moderately, but the dressed
trade was healthy and all buying in
terestS were active. The bulk of the
good and choice fat lambs scaling 90
pounds down sold at Chicago from sea-
1896, with tops of $3.50. The supply of
veal calves was lighter and prices adj
vanced.
Grain and Feed Lower.
The domestic grain markets developed
a week tone toward the end of January,
Influenced by increased domestic sup
plies, and further declines in foreign
markets. Wheat prices were held fairly
steady, but the market had an easier
tone as result Of large offerings for the
time of year. The heavier movement
of corn in the Southwest weakened the
market for that grain and prices de-
clined at principal distributing points.
Rye was lower at most markets follow
ing the decline in feed grains. Barley
and oats tended downward along with
corn. The fax market continued dull
and featureless with prices tending to-
ward lower levels.
Hay markets continue generally dull
during the last part of January Sup
plies are light and demand rather slow.
Stocks were reported heavy at Boston
ana New York and New York prices
were about 81 lower on some lines.
The price of cottonseed meal followed
very nearly unchanged levels with adj
vanceS of 81 per ton soon after the mid
die of January. Linseed meal declined
on the average about 81 per ton. Con-
sumner demand was light. Gluten feed
sold without much change in price, but
hominy feeds declined on the average
Of about so cents per ton.
Potato Supply Ample.
Potato markets continued slightly
downward in late January, but further
declines were slight. Shipments con-
tinue rather liberal for the time of year
owing to mild weather in most pro-
ducing sections. Several carloads from
Canada arrived daily in two or three
Eastern markets. Maine potatoes are
active as far West as Detroit and Cleve-
land. Midwestern potato markets are
literally supplied, but prices at Chicago
have been holding fairly well. The gem
eral jobbing range in the large cities is
from $1.50-$2 per 100 pounds.
Although demand for cabbage con-
tinues rather slow in the principal
Eastern producing sections, loadings
were averaging slightly over so cars
daily in Western New York the third
week in January. Dealers were selling
carloads at $12-$14 per ton. Prices in
Eastern markets have declined Sl-S3
since the middle of the month and the
tendency has been downward in Wis
conSln producing sections.
Onions and carrots continue in light
demand and the market fpr hofb nf