Milford chronicle., 1934-08-31

Shipments of fruits and vegetables
continue in about usual volume tol
the time of year, averaging near y
900 carlots daily. Carlot movement
for the season has exceeded that o.
a year ago to date by about IL pei
cent and is not far from the aver
age Of the past three years. Un-
usual features include the long con-
tinued activity of shipments from the
West Coast and the Rocky Mountain
region and the active demand In the
Central West for fruits and vege-
tables from eastern and Far west
ern producing sections.
Prices show the usual slight down.
ward late summer trend. owing TO
increasing local supplies and dull
market condition. Prices in late
August show few contrasts with
those of a year ago. Potatoes are
the most important exception, selling
at less than half the price of late
August 1888 but there is compare
lively little change this season in
prices of onions, lettuce, peaches. ap-
pies. and grapes. Sweet potatoes
started much higher this season but
have declined sharply with increas-
ing supplies. although still fairly
high compared with white potatoes.
Production prospects average light
to moderate. Potatoes are, 10 per-
cent below average. CantalOupes and
cucumbers are One-third below but
tomatoes are IS per cent above the
5-yeaT production prospects. Sweet
potato prospects. important in some
markets. are a little below this aver
age. Apples are 20 per cent below,
and grapes Is per cent below the
average. Pears, plums. and prunes
are near the average, although main
source of supply will be western.
Potato Markets Firm
Prices of potatoes have been slow
to respond to the moderate current
supply and the estimated crop is
even lighter than last season in the
main crop region. The market seems
to be waiting crop developments
which will depend upon the weather
during the closing months Of the
season. Price trend was slightly up
ward after the middle of August,
recovering to 81 per 100 pounds in
New Jersey shipping sections and
showing gains of 5-10 cents in vari-
Gus city markets. Mid-western cities
quote considerably higher prices
than prevail in eastern markets and
Chicago advanced about 10 cents
from the low point quoting above
S150 for Wisconsin potatoes. while
eastern potatoes in eastern markets
ranged soc to $1.25. Most markets
report moderate supply and slow to
fairly good demand. Many late po-
tatO sections are beginning to ship,
including Maine. New York. and
North Dakota Idaho early varieties
are active in some markets. Crop
conditions are mostly good in the
East. They are fairly good and i'm
proving in the Upper Great Lakes
region. Far western potato crop
feels the effect of scanty water sup
plies.
Supplies of sweet potatoes have
increased considerably. most Of them
coming from Virginia. Maryland,
Delaware. and New Jersey. Prices
declined sharply in eastern markets |
after the middle of the month, reach |
ing range of So $3.50 per barrel.
compared with SIS early in the month.
and the bushel-pack dropped to $1.25 |
in New York. Middle-western mar /
kets quoted Virginia sweets at s1.5O |
to $1.75 per bushel.
Draggy Onion Markets
Onion markets continue draggy.
with fairly liberal supplies In the
large cities and slow trading. Price !