Evening star., 1932-12-14
PRODUCE MARKETS
IN SAGG|NG TREND
Some Products Reveal Ten
dency to Move Against
Prevailing Movement.

tSsSAuulS wv SspS'ss
Slightly lower prices were the rule in
the farm markets the first half of De-
cember, says the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricul-
tural Economics, Market News Service
A few leading farm products, including
cotton, lambs, eggs, cheese, WOOL ana
potatoes, showed some tendency TO re-
sSt the downward tyend, but gains or
brief upturnS in these lines we're not
impressive. Eggs seemed to have ended
the rise for the present. but position
still has features of strength for the
long pulls Poultry sells at fairly steady
prices. Butter markets weakened under
Door demand the first 10 days OF De-
cember Potatoes show a Using trend
in the Middle West and shipments were
checked by severe weather conditlons
Other vegetables sell at nearly STEADY
prices. Apple values are well nam.
tanned. Corn, cattle and hogs reached
new low points the first full week OF the
month but wheat, hay and feeds olo
not change much.
Butter Declines Further.
Constructive outlets for butter ap-
peared to have been curtailed to con-
siderable extent by the sharp November
advance in retail prices. Prices TO tne
consumer ranged from 28 to 80 cents
in the chain stores. as compared Win
% to 26 cents three weeks carrier. ~
the opinion of many operators the mix
flow is increasing rather sharply IN some
sections. Receivers report more outter
available from surplus of the conden-
saries and those plants supplying SWEEP
cream and milk to the larger cities
Trading in cheese was confined most
IL to current needs and was, therefore
only moderately active at Steaoy 70
Arm prices. Production has continued
to increase with the make In mose OF
the important cheese producing sectlons
now about equal to that OF year ago.
stocks have continued to shrink az ,s
faster rate than in 1881, due primarily
to the light production, as consumption
Is still lighter than a year ago.
Egg Prices Unsettled.
Egg markets were irregular toward
the middle Of the month, the price sit
uation VARYING as to the grades OF eggs
and the geographical location. In New
York, fancy eggs had declined about 2
cents the first full week of December
Lower quality eggs were also lower az
the beginning, but advances later IN
the period brought closing quotations
up near the early December level.
The poultry market held about steady
with quotations unchanged to traction
ally higher in New York. The move
ment Of poultry and, more particularly
turkeys. has continued light since
Thanksgiving but, with the consumer
demand also light, supplies proved fully
ample in all quarters.
Live Stock Market Weak.
Features of an encouraging nature
for the selling side were largely lack
ing in the live stock trade during the
first 10 days of December. Barring 8
few loads of choice grade, strong-Weight
cattle sold in Chicago trading at new
lows for the year, as. did all grades OF
cows, and the hog market weakened to
the lowest price levels of the century.
The fat lamb trade retained its rela-
lively satisfactory position. Consider
ing supply figures. the market on most
classes, grades and weight selections Of
live stock was the more disappointing to
the selling side. Unloads at u i'm
portant primary markets showed de-
creases
Buyers on the Boston wool market re-
stricted purchases during the first half
OF December to immediate requirements
and only moderate volume of busi-
ness was transacted.
Feed Markets Weak.
The markets on millfeeds continued
dull and weak the first week of De-
cember Unsettled business conditions.
plentiful supplies of feed grain and
forage, reduced farm purchasing power
and limited credit facilities restricted
the demand Approaching year end
with inventory taking, deferred buying
by jobbers, wholesalers and dealers.
The generally light morket supplies
sold slowly. Wheat feeds were un-
changed to lower. High protein feeds
were mostly weak. but gluten feed,
gluten meal and hominy feed advanced
Alfalfa meal and tankage held about
steady. From mid November to mid
December the market weakness in
wheat feeds and cottOnSeed meal has
more than offset the strength in corn
by-product feeds. Prices of other feeds
have averaged comparatively steady.
Timothy and clover hay markets were
again steady. with trading of unusually
small volume. Receipts continued light,
but about equal to demand at New York
City. Trading was exceedingly light at
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Wheat Markets Firmer.
Domestic wheat markets strength
ened slightly during the first 10 days
of December, influenced principally by
the poor prospects for Winter wheat.
Below-Zero weather, with lack OF snow
covering over a good portion OF the
Winter wheat belt and In the Pacific
Northwest, threatened further damage
to the crop The December condition
was described as the poorest on record
for that month. The strengthening in
f1uence of the unfavorable crop pros
poets was largely offset by weakness In
the general market situation and slow
world demand for the surplus wheat
of the principal exporting countries.
Feed grains continued weak and prices
on corn and oats for future delivery
reached new low levels at Chicago
Marketings of corn. oats and barley
were relatively light, but easily SUI
ficient for trade needs. Rye was nrmer
with wheat, but fax was barely STEADY
under a continued dull crusher demand
Potato Prices Gain.
Prices of potatoes were firm to slightly
stronger in most shipping districts to-
ward the middle of the month. Sacked
Green Mountains returned So cents per
100 pounds in Northern Maine and the
Western New York fob. market was
firm on round whites at IS cents. Rus
set 2urals advanced in Michigan to
53a58 cents.
Cabbage prices held steady in West
ern New York at SIS to Sc per ton and
81 to So on sacked Danish type, with
WISCONSIN SINNERS get