Evening star., 1932-09-28
MARKETS
SLIGHTLY F|RMER
Eggs, Wheat, Cotton and
Other Commodities Show
Price Gains.

Farm products averaged slightly
higher in late September, says the
United States Department OF Agricul-
ture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
Market News Service. Rapid and per-
sistent gains in the egg market. based
holdings, increased the cash income Of
many producers. The wheat and cot
ton markets again tended upward
Prices of choice cattle, hogs. sheep and
lambs were fairly we'll maintained. but
cattle market conditions were irregular.
Butter markets were unsettled without
much actual change Supplies of
orchard fruits and staple vegetables
usually reach greatest volume at about
this time. Prices are holding with diff
fculty, but declines are slight.
Weak Potato Markets.
Potato markets were weak and most
ly lower in late September Sacked
Cobblers still brought 35 cents per 100
pounds in northern Maine, with Green
Mountains only slightly above that
level. Rail shipments from New Jersey
declined to 70 cents per 100 pounds
sacked. Jersey type sweet potatoes de-
clined at Eastern Shore points to a
range of 80 to 80 cents per barrel
Domestic type cabbage was selling at
a narrower price range in western New
York. bulk stock bringing $3.50 to S6
per ton. Bulk Danish type sold at So
to 50 per ton. Lettuce declined in city
markets. Eastern celery advanced
slightly in consuming centers. At
points in western New York 50-pound
sacks of yellow onions strengthened
slightly to 80 to 35 cents
F. o. b. markets for apples in the
Potomac Valley area were firm at IS
cents per bushel for best 2i2-inch
or Delicious. Bushel baskets of
Wealthys brought 70 to rs cents at
western New York points and Rhode
Island Greetings 65 cents. Bartlett
pears were still bringing 80 to 90 cents
per bushel at New York shipping points.
Butter Markets Unsettled.
The butter markets were nervous and
unsettled during the second half of
September, but there were some small
net gains. Some students of the produc-
tion situation are Of the opinion that
fresh output during the Fall and early
Winter will exceed that of year ago
and that increases over the previous
week will be noted during the next
several weeks. The increased number
of cows due to freshen in the Fall
months will tend to increase production
from early in October until early in
March. On the other hand, farmers
appear to be skimping in quantity and
quality of the feed used
The cheese market continued about
steady and prices held generally un-
changed in city markets. Trading in
fresh cheese improved slightly the sec
ond half of the month. but the total
volume of sales was still small Some
buyers were more willing to anticipate
future needs. while others bought only
for immediate requirements in anticipa-
tion of more favorable prices later in
the season.
Egg Market Gains.
Prices of eggs continue to advance. al
though not quite so rapidly as earlier In
the month. Light receipts and a fairly
good consuming demand are given as
the causes.
Increasing supplies of roasting
chickens are causing weakness in the
market for weights of three and one
half pounds and over, and prices have
made declines of one to three cents
since the middle of the month. Supplies
of fowl, on the other hand, are light,
and hardly equal to the trade at pre-
vailing prices.
Choice Cattle Hold Price.
Trading was uneven in the Chicago
cattle market All lower grades, includ-
ing weighty bullocks as well as light
and long yearlings, were mostly SO cents
lower at Chicago in late September,
Of ch or
steers scaling 1,100 pounds and up,
showing declines of rs cents to 81. All
grass steers sold to killers lost rs to
so cents, and all she stock was unevenly
lower Increased receipts, particularly
OF northwestern grass cattle, and de-
clining beef market were considered
chief causes for the lower prices of live
cattle
The most important feature of the
hog trade the past few weeks has been
the continuance of the run OF packing
sows, which normally tapers off after
September /. The average cost of hogs
at Chicago the second half of the month
was near 81 per 100 pounds, compared
with above SIS year ago.
Eastern dressed lamb markets fell to
the lowest point of the season. which
did much to offset the effect Of the de-
crease in live receipts at Chicago.
Range lambs showed some deteriora-
ton in quality Kinds with better fin
ish sold up to $575. Most good and
choice range lambs sold at $3.50 to
$5.75, with a few up to $5.85, and de-
sirable native from $5.25 to $5.75 The
extreme top was $6.25, which was paid
only sparingly.
Buyers and sellers adopted a watt
ing attitude on the Boston wool market
in late September. Few large lots were
sold, but the undertone of the market
was firm and no important changes in
prices were noticeable.
Price changes in soft and hard Win