Milford chronicle., 1936-05-29
PRODUCE MARKET NOTES

Fairly active trade is reported il
most eastern and mid-western pro
duce markets, although increasing
local supplies affect the situation a
many points. Good demand for DO
tatoes has brought in much imma.
ture or secOnd-rate stock, and price
action has been irregular but fairly
strong. Most lines of produce have
been following a downward trend for
some time past, but tone became
somewhat finer the second half OF
May owing to more moderate carlot
supplies. Prices were showing few
er declines and some advances.
Among the fairly steady or slightly
higher features were new potatoes.
onions, lettuce, string beans, apples,
and citrus fruits. Compared with
last year, prices are still mostly low
er but potatoes are double the prices
of year ago. Tomatoes, string
beans, beets, and citrus fruits are
higher this season, Strawberries,
celery, and peas about the same.
Onions, carrots. lettuce, and apples
continue much lower than a year
ago.
Shipments dropped OF some 1000
cars, or IL percent, the second week
in May and continued at a reduced
rate after the middle Of the month
Old-crop potatoes and apples were
still decreasing. Lettuce and onion
output was less by One-third com
pared with the preceding week.
Asparagus. spinach, and greens are
being largely replaced by local sup
plies. Strawberries appear to be !
turning out lighter crop than ex-
pected. owing to early frost injury |
and recent drought. Greatest recent !
carlOt gains we're for tomatoes, pep
pers, cantaloupes. cucumbers, cher
ries, and corn. Most of these lines
are not yet very active.
Peaches, melons, and honey balls
are beginning to move to market.
Prospects for June produce shipment
are moderate. The four leading items,
potatoes, melons, cantaloupes and
tomatoes usually comprising about
half the June shipments, show a
moderate acreage as a group and I
only fair growing conditions, and
seem likely to turn out in lighter !
volume than year ago.
Potato Market Firm {
Prices of potatoes have been show [
ng a somewhat irregular trend since
he middle of the month, but markets
ihoW firm average with some fur
her gains. Eastern shipping points I
how some recovery from recent de- S
lines and are about midway between ?
he high points of the season and the 4
owest of the early May setback. A ?
lrm tone prevailed in northern o
daine. with sales at $1.S5 per 100 8
'ounds for No. stock, and prices in iol
Western New Work and Wisconsin a
re also near this level. with slightly C
tronger tone reported In all these
ections. Trend of Chicago carlot 81
larket continues upward, recent m
ales averaging near SO per 100 in
ounds on western baking stock and ei
5aehlng $l.95 on northern round II
'hites. Maine Green Mountains sell re
S2.25 to $3.50 in eastern markets m
nd other eastern stock mostly 50
S225.. fir
Markets at stuthern potato ship e
ng points have been showing a FIR
lightly stronger tone. Early sales ia
Texas producing sections reached ici
ps of SO per 100 pounds. South ed
lrolina shippers have been getting ST
20. and the Mobile district reports mi
advance of 15c, with sales of
.S5 to S2.40 California Long White lal
tatoes top the market at $3.50 to tn
20 in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Of
ipments OF potatoes not far above &c
cars daily are light for the time ste
year, and supplies seem likely to eas
ntinue moderate for the present. Ca
Berry Supplies Moderate alb,
producing sections hal
piping to eastern markets are rel
ming out rather light crops, owing ma