Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-22
PRODUCE MARKETS
IN UPWARD TREND
Egg Prices Firm-Potatoes,
Apples and Onions Are
Higher.

products was upward in october, as
measured by the importance of further
gains on such leaders as wheat and
cotton, says the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture Bureau of Agri-
cultural Economics, Market News Serv-
Ice. Mill feeds and butter also tend
ed higher around the middle of the
month. In most other lines the mar
ketS are irregular, with changes both
ways. Cattle prices were stronger than
declined. Egg markets continue rather
firm Potatoes and apples advanced a
little in the West and declined on some
varieties in Eastern sections. Main
tendency Of the onion market continued
upward.
Potato Markets Unsettled.
City potato markets were slightly
weaker on Maine Green Mountains, but
were somewhat stronger on all other
kinds of potatoes. The Chicago carlot
market held steady on Northern Round
Whites and advanced a little on other
receipts. Celery advanced in Western
New York to So per two-thirds crate
of 4 to dozen stalks. but smaller
sizes were lower. Practically all arri-
valS Of Eastern and North Central pears
were slightly higher in consuming cen
tiers, but Western fruit held steady.
Market supplies of barreled apples
were lighter than year ago because
OF the delayed harvest. Apple values
held well at most shipping points. Po-
tomac Valley quoted barrels of best
Grimes at $1.75, Yorks and Ben Davis
at SIPS, Staymans at $3.50 and Wine
of XVII Chi 90
quoted barrels Of Baldwins at $2.75.
City prices of grapes advanced. South
western New York Concords advanced
to s25-$30 per ton and Niagaras
brought $35.
Butter Market Acts Well.
Although the butter market has
shown fairly good action this month.
the dealers are still cautious, appar-
emily because Of further gains in pro-
ductlon, the arrival of few cars OF
Canadian butter and the uncertainty
as to future consumption. Medium
and under grades improved in position
owing to lighter receipts ana better de-
mand. The price range has narrowed,
particularly in Eastern markets.
The approaching end Of the grass
season brought some late speculative
demand for heavy cheese in producing
sections, thus contributing to a health
Ter market situation on these styles.
Cheese prices in consuming markets
were lower around the middle Of Octo-
Der, following the recent reduction in
country prices. On the whole, con-
Stunning demand is reported good, al
markets has been disappointing owing
to local supplies in that region.
Slow Egg Markets.
Egg markets ruled slightly irregular
during mid-October. The rapid adj
vances in prices in late September and
early october, especially on closely Sc
lected fresh stock, developed a slower
demand IN some retail quarters. and
supplies began to accumulate in re-
ceivers' hands. Also many of the
leading chain stores are featuring cold
storage eggs at popular prices, leaving
larger supply of fresh eggs to go
on the open market for competitive
sale.
Supplies of dressed poultry have been
kept moderately cleared a. r.evailing
prices, with occasional pre- ans being
realized on some of the better pri-
vate marks. Receivers also have re-
Gently sent considerable stock to cold
storage rather than accept prices below
their costs at country buying points.
Some Gains in Live Stock.
Sharp upturns in market values Of
good and choice grades of fed steers
and .yearlings, and on fat lambs, fea-
tured the mid-October live stock trade
at Chicago. Receipts at important
market centers showed increases of hogs
and sheep. Price of lambs made a
sharp advance at Chicago near the
middle of the month. but the gain was
soon lost under heavier receipts.
81;
more active than early in october. but
trading was confined to relatively few
houses, and the market, as a whole,
was slow. Uncertainty Ger the out
come of the strike of workers in wool
manufacturing plants was an impor-
tant factor holding back trade in wool.
Delayed ordering of spring goods ac-
counted for the absence Of many buyers
from the wool market.
Stronger Feed Markets.
Moderate offerings of wheat feeds
were in slightly better demand in mid
October. Price advances in markets
east of the Rocky Mountains of from
rs cents to S125 per ton were also
influenced by the strength in the wheat
and security markets. Cottonseed meal
with advances ranging from 81 to So
per ton. This was the first material adj
vance in this feed since last April
Prices of timothy hay were some
what irregular, ranging from barely
steady to somewhat lower in the East
and South to slightly stronger in the
Central West
Wheat Market Continues Firm.
Domestic wheat markets maintained
a firm tone around the middle of Oc-
tober, influenced by relatively light re-
ceipts. Foreign wheat markets strength
ened slightly. Feed grains were barely
steady, with demand generally dull and
hardly sufficient at some markets to
absorb the moderate offerings. Rye
was firmer with wheat. Flax held
about unchanged with crusher inquiry
dull because of slow demand for lin
seed oil.