Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-17
FARM PRICES GAIN
IN NEARBY MARKET
Irregular Upward Trend Is
Shown for First Time
in Months.

from the United states Bureau OF Agr1-
cultural Economics. Grain, feeds, hogs,
hides, potatoes, onions, eggs and apples
all showed irregular price gains. There
was comparatively little change in cat
tie, sheep, wool, hay, dairy products and
poultry. General causes of the stronger
tone were the better demand brought by
recent low prices and the Spring recov-
cry in business conditions. Some prod
lcts are realized to be in limited supply
and others were held back for the time,
owing to weather conditions.
Butter Markets Irregular.
Butter markets were irregular in mid
March, with some price gains. The
out-of-storage movement, as indicated
by the available figures for the first IL
days of March, continued favorable, be-
ing about equal. to that Of the CORE
spending period year ago. Butter
receivers report slight increases from
their regular shippers, with very few, II
any, showing decreases. The increased
arrivals have been we'll absorbed on
most markets, and outlets are appar-
emily large enough to take care OF the
incre ased production.
The market tone on both fresh and
cured cheese was fully steady in mid
March. and in a few quarters firm
uIllCl tOIlC Wdo AAAHS uPPe'ASAAS'
Recovery in Egg Prices.
Egg prices recovered about cents
from the middle of February to the
middle of March. 1t is considered prob
able that the recent lighter receipts OF
eggs are a reflection of drop IN the
rate of production, due to the smaller
number of poultry on farms, which on
February l amounted to two blros less
Indications n01Tt-
ing to an even larger reduction as OF
March l.
Poultry prices show practically no
recent change on either live or dressed
stock. The demand for light food was
reported as very good, but not sutncl-
entity strong to justify any advance In
quotations. Large fowl moved slowly,
and occasionally some concessions were
necessary to move large quantities.
Potatoes Higher.
Prices of potatoes at important ship
ping points advanced materially during
the second week Of March. Gains OF D
to 10 cents per 100 pounds were quite
universal except that Green Mountains
held steady in Northern Maine. Flor
ida Spaulding Rose potatoes in barrels
were stronger in city markets and Long
Island Green Mountains also advanced
in New York Sweet potato markets
were still unsettled, with no uniform
price trend. Delaware and Maryland
bushel hampers were little weaker
and so we're Southern Nancy Halls.
The light remaining holdings of
Western New York cabbage are selling
at a higher level at shipping points and
in city markets. Both Western New
York and Southwestern Michigan onion
prices advanced. Colorado shipping
xya1t,ac hatJ Y,aarlv ctaadJ The
tomato crop on the East Coast of Flor
ida was badly damaged by nclement
weather and shipping point values OF
the remaining small supplies of good
stock are at a higher level. Best Bald
win apples advanced 10 cents per
bushel last week at Western New York
shipping points, but Greetings were not
SO strong, possibly because of sCald.
New York field bean markets re-
manned extremely dull in mid-March,
with prices averaging somewhat below
those quoted early in the month. A
weak tone prevailed at Chicago due to
continued pressure Of offerings by ship
ping associations, together with little,
If any, improvement in demand. Vir-
ginia dealers report spot stocks working
lower. Consigned stocks in Eastern
Ohio and West Virginia are also light,
but dealers in those areas are buying
immediate shipment.
Live Stock Selling Better.
Most classes and grades Of live stock
found an improved market during the
second week of March The improve
ment. while traceable partially to sup
ply curtailment. for which stormy
healthier dressed meat trade. The
fresh pork market showed a strong
upward swing and lower temperatures
broadened the outlet for other meats
as well. In the live trade price gains
were most emphatic on light hogs, the
lower grades of slaughter steers, es-
pecially the lighter weights, on fat
cows and heifers, and on vealers.
Business in wool during the week
was somewhat unevenly spread over
the market, but reached fair volume in
the aggregate, and the price tendency
on both fleece and territory woods of
the finer grades was firmer. The lower
grades of domestic fleece woods were
quiet and prices on them somewhat
easier.
Corn Market Stronger.
Lighter market supplies strengthened
the position of corn. Domestic wheat
markets weakened slightly in mid
March under the influence of improved
crop conditions, as result OF heavy
rains or SHOWS over most of the Win
ter and Spring wheat areas. Rye con-
tinued in slow demand but offerings
were small. Flax advanced slightly,
influenced by a more active crusher
demand and a firmer market situation
In Argentina.
Prices of wheat feeds advanced sharp
ly in mid-March and the small offerings
were in good demand. Feed produc-
ton as suggested by reduced four out
turns at the principal milling centers
was the smallest since early in 1881.
I.inseed meal prices turned sharply
downward and the plentiful offerings
were much in excess of the slow de-
mand This situation was in sharp con-
trast to the firnness in wheat mill
feeds. Cottonseed meal prices displayed
independent strength as compared with
linseed meal and prices advanced. Glu-
ten feed and meal prices were reduced
81 per ton at the principal ma1kts, but
hominy feed tended to reflect the
strength in corn. Alfalfa meal prices
were unchanged to slightly higher due
principally to the strength n alfalfa
hay.
Timothy and clover hay offerings
continued light and generally in fair
demand. Prices on offerings ranged
from about steady to somewhat lower in
uid-Mar