Evening star., 1932-08-18
PRODUCE MARKET
TURNS IRREGULAR
Live Stock, Cotton, MiI|feeds
and Eggs Are Firm at
Recent Values.

Prices of farm products showed a
more hesitating tendency near the mid
die of August after the general rise Of
the three weeks preceding, says the
United States Department OF Agrlcul-
ture, Bureau of Agricultural Economics,
Market News Service Declines as a
rule were not severe and there were
further gains or recovery in live stock,
cotton. millfeeds and eggs. Grains and
dairy products showed irregular, unset
tied price movements. Wool trade is
active and prices fully maintained.
Poultry markets were about steady
Fruits and vegetables have tended
mostly to lower levels this month. A
few of the side lines, such as sugar,
hides and calfskinS, made further price
gains.
Unsettled Butter Market.
The tone of the butter market became
unsettled near the middle of August as
buyers began limiting their purchases
to their most urgent needs. There was
a freer use of storage and short-held
butter on the part of jobbers and some
Of the chain stores. There were declines
of half a cent in Eastern markets and
three-fourths of a cent at Chicago. But
| ter production continues to decrease, &C
cording to available reports from the
various manufacturing groups. Chicago
prices on sales for November delivery
tended lower.
Due to the abnormal spread between
the ruling prices of the several styles of
cheese established on the Plymouth
boards early in August, the tone OF the
cheese markets at the more important
centers of distribution was irregular
during the first half of the month. Con-
tinued confidence in the situation, how
ever. made for a rather close holding Of
stock, and firm undertone.
Potatoes Decline Slightly.
Most lines of potatoes continued to
decline in price Shippers of best
Ccbblers in Central and Northern New
Jersey were receiving rs cents per 100
pound sack. The Chicago carlot mar
ket reported Kansas and Missouri
Cobblers lower at 65 to rs cents and
Wisconsin stock at 10 cents.
Onions have been jobbing this month
within a range of 40 cents to 81 per
50-pound bag. New York cabbage has
been selling in tine East at $40 to $25
per ton. The two-doZen crates Of New
York Big Boston lettuce held firm at
&c to 60 cents.
Virginia watermelons gained slightly
in Washington market and there was
slightly stronger range on South
eastern Dixie Bellies in several cities.
Peach prices are low now in contrast
with the high level of early Summer.
Cantaloupes tended generally lower, re-
ceipts from various States ranging from
rs cents to $275 per crate.
Egg Market Irregular.
Although the egg markets continued
to strengthen toward the middle of
August, the rate of improvement was
not so pronounced as earlier in the
month, many dealers feeling that the
recent advance had been a little too
rapid. Prices of top grades advanced,
bit supplies Of the lower grades were
rat':sr plentiful, and prices on these
eased of about one-half cent per dozen
at New York.
The poultry markets remain practi-
callv unchanged except on fryers, which
declined 2 cents a pound during the
first half Of the month. Receipts Of
broilers are not running particularly
heavy but as buying interest Is only
moderate, supplies are fully ample at
current quotations.
Live Stock Market Firm.
Net changes in market prices of live
stock during the second week of Au-
gust were small on most classes and
grades, but entirely in sellers favor
Cattle marketings continued light and
the run up to the middle Of the month
in the leading market centers was con-
siderably below normal for this season
Of the year. Recent marketings of hogs
were lighter and somewhat below the
corresponding time year ago. Sheep
| and lambs arrived in nearly unchanged
| numbers.