Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-25
PRICES IRREGULAR
ON FARM PRODUCTS
Eggs, Poultry and Butter
Higher-Live Stock Shows
Downward Trend.


Farm products continued in late
vances as declines, says the United
States Department of Agriculture, Bu-
reau Of Agricultural Economics Market
News Service. There was encourage
ment to producers when egg, poultry
and butter prices worked a little higher
after the long spell of market weakness.
Cheese markets continued unsettled.
Live stock showed the downward trend
often seen near the beginning OF Lent.
Grain, feeds and vegetables tended
lower. Nearly all the slight declines
after the middle of the month seemed
to reflect a lack of brisk buying rather
than any new pressure of supply. Long
continued mild weather seemed to have
dulled the edge Of consuming demand.
In some lines, the dealers were reported
waiting for still lower prices. In gen.
eral. the markets were in position TO
respond sharply to appearance OF any
active buying movement.
Potatoes Slightly Lower.
The trend of potato prices in late
February at important shipping points
was still downward in all parts of the
country, except that Maine shippers re-
ported a firmer feeling on Green Noun
tains. The Chicago carlot market was
lower. Sweet potatoes showed no ma :
terial change in large jobbing markets,
although a slightly weaker tone ap-
peared for some kinds.
Onions continued dull and generally
lower at most shipping points, except
q AHiaINiTnF1
were weak Prices of old cabbage IN
Southeastern Wisconsin dropped to
new low level, and the Western New
York price also weakened. Texas cab
bage in lettuce crates declined slightly.
Northern stock held about steady in
terminal markets. but New York old
stock and most sales Of new Southern
cabbage were at lower level
Apple prices showed practically no
change during the week. Celery was
active and shipping-point prices held
firm in Florida and California. City
markets held we'll.
The New York bean market was re-
ported slow and easy with prices not
materially changed. Some increase IN
selling pressure had a depressing effect
on the Chicago market. Red kidneys
were quoted at New York City at 1925
to $3.50.
Egg Buying Active.
The egg market of late February was
well supported by the buying interests,
both for immediate requirements and
for speculation. Additional advances
in prices were registered, with net
gain of Y to 124 cents during the thlro
week of the month. Receipts continue
on the high level of recent weeks, re-
hecting the favorable production con-
ditions that have prevailed in MlSsls-
sippi Valley and Pacific Coast regions.
Then again, hatchery operations are
reported to be considerably less than a
year ago, with the result that eggs that
ordinarily would be used for hatchlng
purposes are this year available for mar
ket shipment. Buying for storage mas
been largely responsible for the adVanc-
ing prices of the last several days.
Poultry in Liberal Supply.
Receipts Of dressed poultry, although
large, did not equal the heavy receipts
of mid-February. Many OF the ship
ments were of rather poor quality, espe-
cially in chickens, which were princi-
pally STACEY and difficult to move.
Butter Markets Erratic.
The general position of the butter
market in late February appeared
steady. A slight curtailment of arrivals
made it possible to effect rather close
clearance of stocks. In number OF
quarters more confidence was expressed
in butter under present conditions at
the current level of prices. Slight
upward price trends may curtau the
outlets slightly but vigorous "eat more
butter" campaigns in the rural dlstrlcS
have been an aid to the dairy industry.
Arrivals have cleared readily IN most
instances with the medium and lower
grades in light supply and holding
center OF interest The better grades
also have been cleared quite readily.
Reports from receivers indicated that
the make of butter was showing little
or no change from week to week. One
feature of Importance affecting butter
production is the improved condition
of the evaporated milk markets.
Price declined slightly on fresh Wis
consin cheese, following slight declines
in producing sections. Many Eastern
dealers DO not expect lower prices.
} Live Stock Lower.
The influence of the Lenten season,
which caused meat retailers to purchase
more conservatively than usual, was
reflected in lower live stock prices dur
ing late February, Numerous loads OF
weighty steers brought $40 to $105Q at
Chicago with an extreme top OF Sll 20.
The bulk of fat steers sold within a
range of SIPS to $9.75, an average cost
of around $685., being the lowest
since 1924
The extreme recent top of the Chicago
hog market was SITS, paid for few
choice loads averaging ITO to 100
pounds. Most 210 to $50 pound weights
sold later at $500 to $3.50 and 26O-32O-
pound kinds at $6.50-$6.90.
Prices of lambs fiuctuated from DAY
to day in sympathy with receipt figures,
without much net change. A two-way
trend was apparent in the Boston wool
market in late February. Domestic GAS
and finer VOLS were moved in fairly
large quantities, with prices showing a
strengthening tendency, but the lower
grades were less active and some further
downward readjustments were made In
prices.
Wheat Market Steady.
Both domestic and foreign wheat
markets strengthened slightly during
the third week of February, influenced
largely by a somewhat improved de-
mand from important consuming areas
and by a material reduction in the
estimate of the Argentine crop. Feed
grains met a good demand at most
markets and the rather liberal Offer
ings of corn were readily taken at
practically unchanged prices. Quota