Evening star., 1931-06-24
COMMODITY PRICE
TREND IRREGULAR
Gains in Some Lines Are
! Offset by Declines in
Others.

Gains or recoveries in price of wheat,
cotton and hogs the third week of
June we're Offset to some extent by
weakness in the egg and butter markets
and in fruit and vegetables, says the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture. Bureau of Agricultural Economies.
Market News Service. Declines in these
products were the result of rush of
new supplies. Live stock markets were
irregular, with hogs higher, cattle about
steady and sheep lower. Mill feeds
tended toward still lower prices.
Potato Supplies Heavy.
Although potato shipments decreased
somewhat, the accumulated supplies in
terminal markets were still quite heavy
and prices of new stock declined further
the second half of June. Best North
Carolina cobblers were down to $3.50
to $165 per barrel and prices on the
Eastern Shore of Virginia declined to
about 50. Old Green Mountains from
Maine, of good quality, seemed scarce
and prices advanced in Eastern markets.
The preliminary report on onion
planting in II late States shows a total
of 49,560 acres. or about II per cent
less than in 1880, but about equal to
the previous five-year average. Some
acreage previously reported has been
lost. chiefly in Minnesota, Iowa and
Utah.
Strawberry prices held nearly steady
at a rather moderate level at shipping
points and in consuming centers. The
season Is shifting to the more Northern
States, where much of the crop is con-
etmed locally. Watermelon shipments
were more than twice as heavy as the
preceding week and are averaging
around 800 cars daily. Medium to large
sized Red Bird peaches were returning
$3.50 to 50 per Six-baSket crate at
Georgia shipping points with medium
sized Early Rose at $l.50 to $1.75. In
consuming centerS peach prices were
tending downward under the increasing
supplies. Prices of California and Ari-
Eona cantaloupes strengthened slightly,
but honeydews declined.
Butter Fairly Steady.
Butter markets were weak in late
June, with values slightly below those
of the middle of the month. Buyers in
most instances were cautious. The peak
of the seasons butter production NAV
have been reached the third week in
June. Pastures in the majority of the
heavier butter-producing States. accord
ing to reports from the Weather Bu-
reau, have shown considerable improve
ment during June.
City cheese markets continued in the
steady-to-f1rm trend established several
weeks ago. Buyers proved more willing
to anticipate future needs by placing
larger orders, both for spot demand and
for shipment. Dealers generally held
goods closely to asking prices in antic-
ipation of higher replacement costs, but
at the same time lost no opportunity to
unload any current receipts which were
not full grass. The bulk of the demand
was for goods for storage. but consump-
ton demand also was fully maintained.
Prices on all grades of eggs at New
York dropped nearly cent soon after
covery occurred later, the quotations
were still close to cent below those of
the previous week. Price changes at
other important distributing markets
were not so drastic as In New York.
Receipts Of poultry continued lighter
than year ago, but were heavier than
for the previous week. Demand con-
tinued exceptionally good at steady
prices. especially for the better grades
Of both live and dressed, while poorer
light stock was draggy.
Cattle Market Steady.
Sharp price fluctuations featured
trading in hogs, sheep and lambs dur
ing the third week of June. Hog values
shot upward early in the week, but de-
clined just as sharply later, under in
fiuence of materially increased market
ings attracted by the previous price
bulge Sheep and lambs dipped to new
low levels, although marketings were
somewhat reduced Considering supply
volume, the cattle market performed
creditably, the light slaughter of the
previous fortnight having cleared the
congestion in packer coolers and trade
was placed in better position to abb
sorb normal supplies without serious
detriment to prices.
The volume of wool sales was main