Evening star., 1945-07-26

Anything you buy In the way of
fruits and vegetables this week end
should be eaten or used as quickly
rs possible. Everything is so loaded
with moisture from the terrific rains
that nothing will keep for as long
a period as usual; so plan your
menus accordingly. Both fruits and
vegetables look bruised and beaten,
but don't taste too badly, we find.
There may be some scarcities of
Items from nearby areas, and such
usual sources of supply as New Jer-
sey and Delaware, due to storms,
flash floods and general disturbance
of the elements, Greens, snap beans,
tomatoes and cantaloupes are
among the most doubtful.
Watermelons, heretofore depend
able, are Scarcer than they have
been, due to a blight which has
rendered a number of shipments
plentiful, although their quality
has been impaired by the rain. A
few stray crates of blueberries ar
rive from time to time, and there
have been q small number of cur
rants seen here and there in some
markets. Produce from the West,
such as the Bing cherries, lettuce,
celery and so on, Is, of course, un-
touched by the rains, but there are
20 few cars available for transpor-
tation that quality deteriorates
during the long-delayed haulS.
There's fairly good corn about, but
no peas, and very few lima beans.
Bananas and pineapples are pretty
dependable, and avocados are run
ming medium fine quality. Potatoes
are a bit on the shy side-not be-
cause there is any real scarcity, but
because of the weather which has
prevented digging them. In general,
1t would appear that you must shop
with extra care this week end, to
get fruits and vegetables that are
at all worth while and even
at that you'll probably find them
below your usual standards.
The meat situation seems to be
about the same as last week, with
things in general just a mite easier
The reduction in points per pound
on many cuts of various meats
scheduled to go into effect Sunday,
gives renewed hope to the housewife
that she may be coming into a
brighter marketing era. Dark side
to the picture is that point values
on pork are expected to remain un-
changed, so ham for supper" will
probably continue will O. the wisp
for most of us.
T7nera bova haap radin chin
ments of live chickens into town,
together with very few dressed re
iects," but the poultry picture as a
whole continues gloomy. Eggs are
about the same as last week, as is
cheese. Civilian supplies of butter
are expected to be slightly larger in
August.
Fish, and fishermen, are creatures
Of the weather, and the storms have
effected the supply of seafood in no
uncertain way. About the only
fairly plentiful items are croakers,
butter1sh, trout, spots, Boston
nackerel and perch. There is very
little filleted cod, haddock and whit
ing available Soft crabs and crab
meat are in good supply, but shrimps
have apparently faded from the
scene entirely. Lobsters also are
hard to find. A little rock, founder
and blueflsh have been noted.
X X y 4
Here and There: We are glad
to see that our words of warning
about not getting unduly panicked
over rumored soap shortage
shortage, that is. greater than the
cne we have been enduring for
many months-are borne out by
Eecretarv of Agriculture Anderson,s