Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-06
VEGETABLE PRICES
CONTINUE TO DROP
Downward Trend Persists
Since First of Month.
Market Dull.


Prices of leading vegetables have con-
tlnued in February the slightly down
ward trend which has prevailed since
the first of the year. says the United
States Department of Agriculture Blu
reau of Agricultural Economics Mar
ket News Service. The drop of 20
cents per 100 pounds on onions and
try shipping points. was partly the
result OF large holdings in producing
sections. But with potato stocks on
hand lighter than they we're a year
ago and prices lower by one-third to
nearly one-half. the decline of 10 to
20 cents per 100 pounds in a month
or so seems to be a matter of poor
principal consuming region have Is per
cent lighter potato holdings this year.
which means active buying before the
end OF the shipping season.
Potato Markets Dull.
Market conditions were dull at po-
tato-shipping points everywhere in
early February. Price changes in the
East were mostly downward, but en-
couragement to shippers developed in
the upturn of 5 to 10 cents per 100
pounds at Chicago and at some leading
potato-Shipping points in the upper
lakes region. The price to growers
sagged of little compared with late
January, the prevailing figure being
65 cents per bushel. bulk. 1t is appar-
ent that dull potato markets exist all
over the potato belt and in the city
markets. Maine reports heavy ship
ments. but light trading on a dull
market and tendency to slightly low
er prices paid growers. This condition.
existing day after day, must indicate
heavy consignments and important
volumes at different points. await
ing sale. Most sales in Northern
Maine at shipping point were at ST. 80
per 100-pound sack. A few sales of
bulk stock were made at Sl20. Ship
ments from Maine comprise about one
third of the daily carloads, but about
20 per cent of the Maine shipments are
seed stock.
Sweet Potatoes Firm.
Prices Of sweet potatoes held better
than for most other kinds of produce
because shipments now are only from
rs to so cars a day and supplies are
light to moderate in the large markets.
Delaware and Maryland bushel pack
sells at SITS to $215, and best New
Jersey stock reached tops of $3.50 to
S2.85 in New York, Pittsburgh and Chi
"
Carolina Porto Ricans range $110 to
SIPS in Baltimore and Washington.
Tennessee Nancy Halls advanced in
two or three markets and followed the
jobbing range of SIPS to $3.50 per
buShel.
Consuming Demand Sluggish.
Growers in Eastern producing sec
tions insist there is a dire need for
combine to stimulate the public to eat
more onions and carrots. Onions are
very cheap at Western and Central
New York points and sell still lower
in Western producing districts. Carlot
sales in the Rochester districts in linn
tied number are made at so cents to 80
cents per 100 pounds for good yellow
stock, compared with 80 cents a year
ago. The range in city markets is now
rs cents to ST. and nearly all Eastern
cities report demand SLOW
Carrot markets continue very mac
tive, despite all that has been said about
the healthful qualities of this vegetable.
A few sales of the roots in bulk were
made in the mucklands district of
Western New York at So per ton, or
40 cents per 100 pounds, the first week
of February Occasional sales of washed
carrots in bushel pack brought SIS cents.
Cabbage Low in Producing Sections.
Dealers appear reluctant to buy cab
bage literally in Eastern producing sec
tons even at prevailing price of So per
ton, cash, to growers for bulk stock. 1t
was hoped that market conditions would
show some improvement because of the
heavy rainfall of early February in
Texas, which interfered somewhat with
shipments Of Texas cabbage; but as yet
there is no change and prices IN WIS
consin producing sections at So to 81
per ton are at the seasons low point.
Eastern bulk cabbage brings SIS to SCI
per ton in large city markets, with sup
plies moderate to liberal and demand
slow Philadelphia reported slightly
stronger market. Price tendency of new
cabbage is still downward despite the
reduced shipment lately.
Apple Quality Variable.
Dealers report wide variation in the
quality of some varieties as end of best
storage season approaches. Storage date
for Eastern Greetings and for several
varieties in the Southern apple region
has passed the most favorable time.
Rhode Island Greetings that will meet
specifications for export are not too
plentiful. Ben Davis, a bookkeeping
variety, has met good demand for ex-
port and is becoming rather scarce, some
localities being entirely cleaned up on
LnlS variety IN the movement OF apples
from Western New York CARROTS billed
for export have held conspicuous place.
For the domestic trade just now the
cheaper grades of apples are in the
greater demand The most desirable
busheI-packed, will not bring
more than $1.50 at Shipping point, SINH
lar classes of Greetings ranging SIPS
to $780, City markets quote Eastern
Staymans at SIPS to $1.75 per bushel;
Black Twigs bring SIPS to $3.50 in
Baltimore and Washington. New York
and Massachusetts, BaldwinS appear in
a few city markets at 81 to $3.50 per
barrel aad SIPS to 81 IS per bushel.
Eastern Yorks sell at 81 rs to 81 so per
oushel in Baltimore and New York, with
top of $1.75 in Washington. Large
Eastern markets report apple sup
plies moderate and demand light to
fairly active. Prevailing rate of apple
shipments from all sources is about 800
carloads daily.