Milford chronicle., 1932-04-08


The produce markets during the
last ten days of. March lost part Of
the sharp general advance made ear
lier in the month, but the price level
is still somewhat higher than before
the freeze. The spell of colder wea-
ther had helped to reduce supplies
on hand. Carlot shipments have not
yet returned to recent volume and
new supplies of many products We're
expected to remain moderate for
sometime because of crop delay and
damage. There is only light carlot
movement of string beans, straw
berries, and southern produce of
most kinds except tomatoes which
are coming literally from southern
Florida and from Mexico.
Northern onions and cabbage are
in very light supply, but selling be-
low recent top prices. Potato ship
ments are fairly large; that is,
about as usual for the time of year,
and not far below 1000 cars daily
and the price has sagged away
from the high points of the rise, but
is showing some resistance to fur
ther declines because of holders
present expectations of a rather
long market season with possibly
favorable developments in market
way. Apple markets have been show
ing strength throughout the past
month, and most varieties are hold
ing at the higher price level reach
ed.
Potato Market Hesitates
The most generally interesting
feature is the potato market, which
concerns numerous growers north
and south. Remaining holdings Ill
storage are probably ample for mar
ket needs, even if an important pro-
portion of the southern crop is lost,
but the probability of sustained
active demand for the northern pro-
duct has been increased by recent
developments. Maine, Idaho, and the
upper Great Lakes region are prin-
cipal sources of supply during the
last two months of the active season.
At present these sections are ship
ping much more than half of the
combined supply. Prices have sag
ged away considerably from the top
level reached after the freeze, but
have been holding well lately and
the tone strengthened a little, espe-
cially in the East near the first of
the month. The price level is with
in narrow range from Maine to
Idaho, mostly between 60 to 20
cents per 100 pounds for sacked
stock of the Round White varieties.
Prices are firm in the East but dull
and steady in the Middle West and
Rocky Mountain region. Haulings
are still light in most producing
sections on account of the condition
of the roads, but daily shipments .
from all sections average around
900 carloads per week day owing to
liberal stocks in dealers storage.
The expected shortage of southern
potatoes certainly does not show in
the shipments, which have been
much larger SO far this season from
Florida and Texas, owing to the
earliness of the part Of-thez crop
which matured before the freezing
weather.
Maine growers and shippers who
owned potatoes stored in the track
side warehouses have been some
what reluctant to sell at prevailing
prices and since the roads have
been blocked only moderate supplies
have been available. Some shippers
expect the market to show stronger
action during the last part of the
season, when supplies in other sec
tions have been cleaned up. They
point to the smaller southern crop
and its delayed maturity and also to
rumOrs that potatoes in some of the
Western States must be shipped
soon because of keeping conditions.
Maine stocks on hand are probably
heavier than they were
a year ago. Shipments from the
state are about 1000 cars behind
hose of last season to date. If total
are to equal those of last
season, which many shippers con
slider improbablye under present
market conditions, it would be nee
9ssary for the movement from now
Until June to average about 800 cars
laily, compared with recent aver
iges not much above 200 cars.
5rices in northern Maine around the l.;
irst of the month range 55 to 60
,ents per 100 pounds at shipping ;
POINTS. Haulings in western New {
fork were hindered by heavy snow :
all and prices were holding fairly
veil around 20 cents compared with ]
! level about Is cents higher at the
Ieight of the rise Growers were re- {
eiving mostly 25 to 80 cents per j
lushel in bulk. S
The large eastern markets HepoIt J
Moderate supplies and slow to fair {
y active demand. Receipts in Bos- :
Oh were limited and market rather 3
rm. Elsewhere the tone near the /
rst of the month was little weak l
+, although prices changes were G