Evening star., 1933-06-07
TREND IS IRREGULAR
ON FARM MARKETS
Gains in Cattle, Lambs.
Hides, Wool and Potatoes
Are Recorded.

Course of the markets on farm prod
ucts has been decidedly mixed and un-
settled in early June. according to the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture report.
Weakness in grain, feeds and cotton
was offset by further gains on cattle,
lambs, hides, wool and potatoes. Hog
markets were fairly steady.
Dairy and poultry products showed a
rather weak market tone. without much
change in the price average.
Potato shipments decreased and
prices advanced sharply in some
markets.
Fruits and vegetables have responded
mainly to seasonal and sectional
changes in supply or to weather con-
ditions affecting quality and demand.
Prices of many lines of green produce
tended upward and the general market
tone was firm the first week.
Potato Markets Firm.
City potato markets were firm to
slightly stronger on nearly all new
stock, Southern Triumphs jobbing
mostly at 81 to $3.50 per 100 pound bag,
and Eastern Cobblers at So to $4.15 per
barrel. Chicago and Midwestern pro-
ducing sections advanced sharply. Cab
bage markets were unsettled. Celery
prices advanced further City prices of
tomatoes were firm and onion markets
advanced.
Watermelons were meeting a good de-
mand at generally higher prices. City
markets for apples were mostly steady
Strawberries were generally higher
Growers on the eastern shore of Vir-
ginia were getting $1.25 to SITS per
crate of 80 quarts, with returns 10
growers in Maryland and Delaware at
$1.10 to $3.50.
Butter Prices Unsettled.
The butter markets were still nervous
and unsettled. There was fairly good
demand for storage purposes but small
lots for the most part were neglected.
The supply of medium and undergrades
showed a considerable increase at all
markets. There was sizeable increase
in arrivals from small factories which
prior to this time have had only enough
to satisfy their regular local demand.
Trading in cheese, on the whole, was
not as active as during the several pre-
vious weeks Purchases are centering
very largely around small and medium
sized lots for immediate consumption.
The egg markets in late May and
early June were irregularly lower. AL
though production throughout the prin-
mite signs Of having reached and passed
the peak this year, eggs continue to
arrive at the principal markets in
quantities considerably larger than a
year ago.
Poultry markets are holding barely
steady. Supplies of broilers, both live
and fresh-killed, are increasing sea-
sonally.
Cattle and Lambs Higher.
Although hog values fell off in early
June to lowest points in three weeks,
the gent raj level of the live stock mar
ket was on a much higher basis ON all
species and grades than at the Winter
low spot. The cattle market made fur
ther price gains and sharp advances
were recorded in the live lamb market
under stimulus of much lighter sup
ply.
Declines in hog prices were held to
small dimensions, despite seasonal in
creaSes in supply.
In the cattle trade we'll finished steers
and yearlings of all weights were be-
coming scarce and showed a disposition
to break through recent price limits
and establish new highs for period OF
SIX months.
The Boston wool market was on a
firm to stronger basis on rather more
moderate turnover than had been noted
for several weeks past. Some sales OF
the heavier shrinking woods were closed
at 81 cents, while an occasional choice
lot brought little more than 80 cents.
Clothings Sos and 48s, SOS from similar
lines, brought Is to % cents, grease
basis. Western-grown woods were fairly
active and sales of the better classes
were restricted mainly by the scarcity
of available spot supplies.
Some Feeds Lower.
Eastern markets were mostly easy and
the liberal offerings of wheat feeds
were in poor demand at Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia and Boston. High protein
foods were unchanged to higher, due
largely to limited offerings, since de-
mand continued slow
Timothy hay markets were very quiet
and the light supplies were in seasonally
slow demand. At New York City the
light offerings, mostly of small bales,
moved slowly at slightly lower levels.
Pasture conditions are good in New
England and the limited supplies of hay
at Boston were in light demand at un-
changed prices.