Milford chronicle., 1936-06-05

Most Eastern city markets repOr
uneven but generally fair to good
demand for produce, especially fol
potatoes and strawberries, which are
light crops in sections now shipping
Prices show stronger action with
more advances and fewer declines
The southeastern drought and the
potato market upswing helped the
advances in lettuce, cabbage, straw
berries, and steadied prices in most
other lines not in temporary over
supply, these latter including onions
and tomatoes which were weak or in
elined to low levels.
Shipments of over 10000 cars OF
fruits and vegetables the third week
of May showed a moderate gain over
the week before and year ago. The
jump of SO percent in tomato and
cabbage carloads was a striking fea-
ture of the shipment figures. POta-
toes, onions, carrots, cantalOupes,
celery, and such summer specialties
as melons, cherries, peaches, plums
and green corn are increasing.
Strawberries are a lighter crop than
last season and decreasing. There
was a smaller weeks output of ber-
ries, cucumbers, lemons, pears and
peas.
Prices compared with year ago
are double for new potatoes and
string beans in many markets. Old
potatoes are three to four times as
high as a year ago in most market
centers. Onions on the other hand
are selling from One-third to one
half the prices of last season, and
growers find difficulty in making
sales. Cabbage, carrots, peas, toma-
toes are lower at present in most
markets. Celery, lettuce, apples are
one-third lower this season. Canta-
lOupes and green corn are selling
close to the prices of a year ago.
Strawberries of good quality are
about One-fOurth higher this season
in many central markets.
Sharp Rise In Potatoes
The feature of the produce mar
ket the second half Of May was the
sharply upward trend of potato |
prices. Current shipments Of old |
and new potatoes are nearly as large |
as they were at this time last year, |
but demand is much better. The |
light remaining northern supplies
and the effect of dry weather in the |
have strengthened the po-
sitiOn.
Prices of old potatoes in northern
sections are three to five
times those of late May last year.
Northern Maine reached S2.7O per
100 pounds at the top Of the May
rise, contrasting with about soc
year ago. Shipping points in west
ern New York were quoting $3.50
late In the month. Holdings areere-
ported light and it is expected that
most eastern stock, except in Maine,
will be nearly cleared out BY the
of June Dealers were
paying growers 81 or more per
1ushel bulk, but very few remain
n growers possession. The upward
rend was interrupted a little in pro-
lucing sections near the end of May
tut city markets still reported I
trOng tone with moderate supplies !
nd fair to good demand. !
Eastern markets quoted Maine {
ireen Mountains mostly So to 1925 {
Ter 100 pounds and other eastern !
took $2.25 to $2.75. Chicago market {
vent well above so on northern !
took by the carlOt and exceeded So
Or western baking potatoes. Ad- |
ance Tor southern potatoes have '
cen more moderate. Southern ship
ers are getting from 50 to $3.50 on
o. l sacked stock and demand CON
nued active at most points. Maine b
Ill leads in northern shipments, o
applying about half the weekly out Il