Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-08
PRICES IRREGULAR
ON FARM PRODUCTS.
Changes in Supply Result in
Uncertain Range in Az
erage Values.

Prices Of leading farm products early !
In the month were governed chiefly by i
changes in supply, says the United
States Department of Agriculture, Blu
reau of Agricultural Economics, Mar |
ket News Service. Output of dairy |
products and eggs tends to be less
abundant after June. and markets be-
came STEADY to firm without sharp price
changes. Poultry markets have held
better than usual at the season Of in
creasing supply to young stock, but
prices of small broilers and even of
fowls showed some weakness the first
days of July. Fruit and vegetables are
mostly turning out good yields and the
price level says under the weight Of
supplies. There was a let-up In ship
mentS Of live stock, but meats were in
poor demand and lower prices Of cattle,
calves, hogs and lambs made no sus-
tanned recovery.
Melon Shipments Less.
Watermelon shipments apparently
have passed their first peak of the sea-
son. Cantaloupe markets were gener-
ally lower and tomato prices also de-
clined around the first of July. Although
total shipments of tomatoes have de-
creased, output is still about As per cent
heavier than at this time year ago.
A lull occurred In movement of Georgia
peaches. and prices held firmly around
So per crate for Early Rose variety at
Georgia shipping points. City dealers
reported slightly downward trend in
p,ach prices. although quotations. still
were on fairly high basis.
Country prices of Eastern Shore Of
Virginia and Maryland potatoes dropped
to previous low mark of 81 rs per barrel
but recovered slightly. New York Big
Boston type lettuce sold lower in con-
Stunning centerS.
Butter Selling Well.
Butter receivers at most markets the
hrst week of July found it COMPARE
, lively easy to keep arrivals moving, as
buyers operated quite freely and spec
ulators were showing more interest.
Storage figures indicate that storing at
the interior warehouses was consider
ably lighter than a year ago.
Although an easier undertone devel-
oped in some quarters, the tone of the
cheese markets at distributing points
was about steady on both fresh and
8 held and cured goods. Trading, on the
whole, was less active, although a few
markets showed further improvement.
The New York State Board price was
unchanged at 11a4 cents. Canadian
".
Poultry Markets Slow.
Both live and dressed poultry con-
tinued in liberal supply, while demand
proved generally disappointing. The re-
suit was unchanged or lower quotations
on most classes of fowl and chickens.
In the New York egg market the bet
ter grades of mixed colors, which were
in none too plentiful supply, advanced
from l to 1si cents early in the month,
while less desirable grades were only
fractionally higher. A similar price sit
uation existed at other markets, al
though the price of the upper grades
did not generally advance as much as
in New York and the lower grades re-
NAMED mostly unchanged.
Sluggish Cattle Market.
The protracted heat wave caused
sluggish cattle market at Chicago, but
later trading was fairly brisk, with
heavy steers getting the best action.
Extreme top on fed yearlings was $3.50.
Average price on packer and shipper
ended July was $6.75, compared with
$668 a week earlier The weeks top
on lambs was SITS for range lambs
and a few natives, while the top for
the previous week was $3.50.
The wool market at Boston continued
to show improvement, particularly in
the quantities moved. The volume Of
purchases was not great, but the in
creasing tendency which featured re-
cent markets has continSSd. Price
ranges were practically unchanged but
a greater proportion of sales were made
near the top level of the price range.
Grain Markets Irregular.
Domestic grain markets were very
irregular in early July, influenced by
conflicting developments in the world
new low levels in domestic markets,
with increasing movement Of new Win
ter wheat and further adjustment to
the new crop basis. Corn prices adj
vanced following threatened damage
by hot, dry weather in the main pro-
ducing areas, but weakened later on
appearance Of trade forecasts of a
oats advanced slightly, with fair In
quiry for the liberal offerings. Rye
sold mostly lower, but barley held
about steady.
Feeds in Demand.
Demand for the light supplies of
feedstuffs improved somewhat and
prices tended upward near the first
of July. Heavy feeds were in better
request than bran. Spring wheat feeds
at Buffalo were firm, with scattered
demand for bran and an urgent in
quiry for other types Of wheat feeds.
Cottonseed and linseed meals averaged
somewhat higher. Hominy feed was
in much better demand at Eastern
markets and offerings were unusually
light.
Timothy hay prices we're mostly I'M
changed to slightly higher, except at
Boston and Pittsburgh. Heavy stocks
and poor demand caused prices at Bos-
ton to recede to lower levels. Dealers
at that market we're offering liberal
concessions to consumers in an effort
to move stocks.