Evening star., 1943-04-01

AD1u FOOL B Ddy-dIlQ lOI IQOSG
Of us the traditional spirit of the
occasion is carried out by the fact
that the new rationing setup isn't
showing itself to be half as diff
cult as we expected! The first
days of the week were so quiet as to
be dull. say the market men-and
because of this breathing space
many dealers had a chance to get
their exhausted meat supplies re-
plenished and their books in order.
Women are being cautious about
spending their precious red coupons.
and are warily watching to see
what others are doing to adjust
their housekeeping to the new re-
strictions. Stores, too. are being a
little slow to feature expensive meat
cuts, until they can get an idea of
the demand. Once the first week or
SO Is over, and things get settled
into a routine. the situation should
be much simpler for both buyer and
seller than it has been during the
recent months when shortages and
scarcities were driving both sides
frantic.
So this week end you will find
about the same types of meat in
most markets that you did last
week. Some supermarkets and
speciality stores that have them on
hand will be offering wider variety
Of cuts than others. But my guess
is that meat buying will be light for
tho nnvf caunrol dove or1 of l,o
will settle down to normal level
incidentally, try to spend your
points as evenly as possible through
out the ration period. OF course,
If you want to save up for one big
roast toward the end of the time,
that is understandable, but in gen.
eral buy other items as you would
ordinarily. This will prevent ter
rife last-minute rush to cash in"
on remaining coupons and thus save
the market men another buying
wave headache.
The poultry situation is a bit
easier this week, with good frying
and small roasting chickens avail
able. Ducks are mighty few and
far between this year; usually at
this season they are plentiful and
reasonably priced. Most of our
ducks come from around New York
and it looks as though they are SELL
ing so fast up there and at such
high prices that it doesn't pay to
ship any of them down here. That's
too bad, because Washington has
always liked its spring ducklings-
and they would be a welcome
change from the good, but slightly
too popular chicken.
There's a good supply OF fish on
hand, with shad and shad roe lead
ing the field of favorites. Good
rockflsh, smelts, sea bass, porgies,
whiting, mullet and red snapper are
highly recommended. This is your
last month for oysters, too. remem-
Der. although If the weather stays
warm, the bivalves are apt to lose
their popularity. But you can al
ways turn to clans!
Produce prices in general are
bit lower than they have been,
which is good news. And supplies
are ample and varied, too For that
spring fever you can find cure in
collards, rape, turnip and mustard
greens. as we'll as fine spinach.
add some raw spinach leaves to
your next green salad-they give
tang and flavor, as well as more
vitamins) Asparagus is really good
now, and the price is getting to be
we'll within reach of the average
budget. Artichokes, mushrooms,
celery cabbage, good cauliflower,
Boston lettuce, romaine, spring"
onions, radlshes, enormous water
cress, white and yellow squash-all
are reasonable and of excellent quail
lty, The fruit lineup is unchanged,
with good Strawberries still selling
at relatively high prices.
A new product is making its debut
In Washington stores these days,
which is well worth your attention.
A preparation of wheat germ, 1t Is
inexpensively priced and comes in
handy canister. 1t is said to con-