Evening star., 1933-03-14
PRODUCE MARKETS
SHOW PRICE GAINS
Cotton, Grain, Live Stock
and Eggs Advance During
Banking Holiday.

Banking Holiday.
Prevailing trend of wholesale prices
for foods and farm products was up
ward during the unsettled and rapidly
changing conditions the first half OF
March, says the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricul-
tural Economics, Market News Service.
Markets advanced rather sharply during
the week of closed banks and commod-
ity exchanges, with gains for spot
cotton, cash grain. some lines Of live
stock, also for butter, eggs, potatoes and
onions. There was no prolonged weak
ness in any of the staple products, al
though the disturbed condition Of sup
ply and demand brought wider variation
and sudden shifting of price levels.
Butter Prices Advance.
Prices of butter were advancing
sharply the first half of March under
active trading. Cash buyers of cream in
many instances were handicapped by
lack Of currency. Whether or not there
was any great volume of cream held
back for this reason is a question.
The stronger sentiment in the cheese
market toward the middle of the month
was largely a reflection of advancing
butter prices, and was not due to any
material improvement in the underlying
conditions Of the cheese situation. De-
mand was only fair.
Rise in Egg Prices.
Egg prices showed a mixed trend the
first half OF March. The undertone of
the market ruled firm. Dealers for the
priP inc
l to cents in many Eastern markets
the second week of the month owing to
interruption of fresh supplies during the
period of bank holidays
With most poultry dealers on cash
basis requirements, little buying for re-
tail was done. with business generally at
q standstill under the disturbed condi-
tions the first half of the month. Modi-
fcations of banking restrictions resulted
In more activity, although buying was
still being done on limited scale. The
scarcity of fowls led to an advance of
cent pound, but other quotations
held unchanged. although in practically
ell cases full prices are being obtained.
Sharp Changes on Live Stock.
Under sharply reduced marketings OF
live stock early in the period of bank
suspension. price levels advanced ir-
regularly but sharply, only to collapse
as the supply movement regained full
normal volume. Taking the live stock
trade as whole during the first half
OF March, more erratic market has
not been experienced in recent trade
history. Main trend was upward, and
marketingS continued light near the
middle of the month. At one time choice
long yearling cattle sold in Chicago
trading up to an extreme top of $3.50.
In the main, it was a $3.50 to S5.75
market on light heifers- Cutter COWS
sold mainly at S2.25 downward to SITS.
Later hog and lamb prices were, for the
most, nearly unchanged compared with
levels Of early March.
: Price trend was upward in the Bos-
ton wool market the first half of March.
Many offerings of wool were with
drawn while holders awaited clearing
OF the financial situation. Some firms
were willing to sell fair-sized quanti-
ties when in position to realize sub
stantlal advance above the asking
prices of early March. In few cases
small quantities of wool were available
at steady to only slightly higher prices.
Feeds Average Higher.
Rising wheat feed prices were a mar
ket feature the first 10 days of March.
Production continued light. Trading at
most markets was restricted. The
higher wheat feed prices may be at
tributed largely to the advance in grain.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and eastern
markets were quiet. Prices of cotton
seed meal advanced slightly. Linseed
meal was unchanged to higher A
rather tight situation developed in
gluten feed and meal. Neither the feed
nor the meal could be obtained at Chi
cago for March or April shipment. De-
mand for tankage continued active. Al
falfa meal quotations were steady.
Grain Markets Unsettled.
A very confusing situation still pre-
vailed in domestic grain markets to-
ward the middle of the month Trad
ing in cash grain had been greatly cur
tailed by lack of facilities for making
settlements. Marketings decreased
sharply but difficulty was met at some
points in dispoSing of arrivals and in
moving grain into elevators and mills
or to consumers. In some instances,
trading operations were transferred to
Canadian markets to effect delivery of
grain to millerS or other buyers. BuSi-
ness in cash grain was so limited that
quotations were largely nominal. At the
close of the period of bank holidays,
however, wheat prices as reflected in
the few sales reported were 4 to cents
higher and feed grains l to cents
higher than the week before Foreign
grain markets also were firmer, but
uncertainty as to the exchange value of
American currency restricted trading
and made it difficult to determine price
changes in terms of United States
money
Trading in timothy and clover hay
was practically at standstill, but the
scattering sales reported indicated val
ues were unchanged A fair demand
at firm prices was reported for the light
offerings at New York City.
Fruits and Vegetables Advance.
Shippers Of Green Mountain potatoes
In Northern Maine received SO to SIS
cents per 100 pounds sacked, while the
Western New York f. o. b. market ad
ranced to a range of Ct to IS cent.
About the only potatoes to show a slight
weakness in city market were New York
round whites. Florida Spaulding Rose
and Bliss Triumphs from Cuba.
Cabbage tended upward at northern
and southern shipping points. Bulk
Danish type reached $40 per ton in
Western New York. City cabbage mar
ketS were firm to higher. Onions made
a further sharp advance in the East and
North. Best yellow varieties reached