Evening star., 1933-04-05
PRODUCE MARKETS
remain UNSETTLED
Grain and Potatoes Are
Strong Spots in List of
Commodities.

Ou WY SPotS Ht 6tSt w
Commodities.
Grain and potatoes were strong rea-
lures among farm products In the
somewhat hesitating markets around
the first of April, says the United States
Department of Agriculture, Bureau OF
Agricultural Economics, Market News
Service. Grain sold higher on the ex-
pected crop shortage, the increased de-
mand for some lines Of manufacture and
the farm relief possibilities. Potatoes
have been in moderate supply for some
time and some Northern producing sec
tions are nearing an end Of holdings.
Cabbage and onions have been losing
part Of their recent price gains. Millfeds
did not promptly follow the sharp re-
covery In the grain market. Butter
markets continued weak and unsettled.
Prices we're well maintained on most
lines Of cheese, eggs, poultry and apples.
Cotton and wool prices sagged on 1T
Tie. NudIlbcS III g4lC AFC SooSh AiA@A ~
were small, except the decline OF nearly
II for veal calves at Chicago, owing
mainly to larger supplies.
Butter Markets Unsettled
The butter markets were nervous and
unsettled near the beginning OF the
month Prices have been showing a
declining tendency. Buyers were taking
only enough goods to supply their most
urgent requirements. Speculative in
terest was slight. There was. however,
some storing of light colored butter az
Philadelphia and New York, mostly on
the season when full grass butter is too
high in color for trade requirements in
those cities. Some ideas Of April values
expected by the trade are suggested by
the fact that recent sales Of April fresh
standards future contracts at Chicago
were made at 161s cents, although earl
ier sales were mostly higher. June de-
lveries sold at 1855 cents. Butter pro-
duction is still running considerably un-
der that Of year ago.
No recent price change is reported in
the cheese Market. Receipts of cheese
at the principal Ioe~'-.s were light, but
ss only q fair "a mt of trading oc-
CURED supplies were sufficient for all
needs.
Eggs Slightly Higher.
Prices of eggs advanced slightly near
the beginning of April under q strong
demand for eggs to be stored. Receipts
at the larger markets showed the usual
seasonal increase and a substantial gain
over those of the corresponding week
last year. The demand for eggs to go
into current trade channels is reported
as being irregular. recent reductions
in retail prices having failed to bring
about the increase In consumption that
was generally expected, but storage buy
ing has been active.
The supply Of fowls generally contin-
ues short and the market firm. although
prices are unchanged The supply of
Spring broilers Is showing an increase.
Veal Calves Lower.
With the exception Of vealers and
lambs, recent net changes in live stock
clined in Chicago trading rs cents to
81 under seasonal supply expansion,
while lamb values were adversely in
f1uenced by lower markets for the
dressed product and by increased ton
mage carried by the general run Of fat
lambs, the supply of which came largely
out Of Colorado and Western Nebraska
feed lots. More pronounced scarcity Of
choice light yearlings was feature Of
the fat cattle trade. The hog market
showed by slight fluctuations during the
period and daily tops at Chicago ranged
from $4 to $405. Aggregate marketings
ut IL important centers showed prac-
tically the same number Of cattle, mod
crate increase Of calves, sheep and
lambs and a decrease In hogs. SYM
pathizing with declines in dressed lamb
values, the live lamb market broke Is to
IS cents on the better grades Of fat
lambs and yearlings.
A quiet trade In wool and reports Of
inactivity on the goods market gen.
Grated . somewhat weaker sentiment in
the wool trade on the Boston market at
the close Of March. The weakness,
OF cleanup lots. which sold at slightly
lower prices.
Feed Supply Increasing.
Production Of wheat feeds increased
sharply in late March and was the
heaviest since early In December. Con-
sumner demand continued limited, be-
ing confined to nearby needs since ap-
preaching pasturage will reduce feed
requirements. Prices declined at most
markets. Two weeks decline brought
Wneat Ieeo prices Dack 70 the leVel pre-
vailing late In February. A year ago
wheat feed prices advanced during
February and March as they did this
year, but retained the advance until
about mid-April. A sharp decline then
occurred to the latter part of July. Cot
tonseed and linseed meals were about
unchanged to lower. Gluten feed and
meal were firm, but few sales were
made. Eastern interest in wet-process
corn grindings has been much better
this season than last year. Hominy
feed was weaker at Eastern points.
Grain Markets Firm.
Domestic grain markets were inde-
pendentlys arm during the last week In
March, rejecting q more active inquiry
for most grains and continued unfavor-
able prospects for Winter wheat. Prices
of wheat advanced to 3 cents per
bushel, making a gain Of to 8 cents
since the first of March. Corn prices
also were up Q to cents and good
demand prevailed, particularly for white
grades Oats advanced about cent
and barley Q to 3 cents per bushel.
Compared with month ago, corn
prices were 8 to cents per bushel
higher. oats 8 to 4 cents, barley 8 to