46 
BULLETIN 1325, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
part of the other half goes, but no accurate information is at hand 
regarding the final destination of half of the onion crop. Figure 28 
shows the relationship between unloads, shipments from producing 
sections, and reported production. Tables 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 also 
give data on these features of the onion industry. 
PRICE TENDENCIES 
As the demand for onions in city markets continues about the 
same, the markets respond emphatically to a supply that is much 
above or below normal volume for any great length of time (fig. 29). 
As the product is not quickly perishable, the change in price often 
does not appear until the Aveek following a time of especially light 
ESTIMATED COMMERCIAL ONION PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES WITH 
ANNUAL CAR-LOT SHIPMENTS, CAR-LOT UNLOADS IN 12 CITIES, AND IM- 
PORTS FROM ALL SOURCES, SEASONS 1918-19 TO 1922-23 
MILLIONS OF BUSHELS 
10 
1918-19 
K'.H-.-.- | Pmcfuctmn V///X///A Shipment* B&2&S2I Unloads ^M Imports 
EARLY LATE EARLY LATE EARLY LATE FISCAL, YEAR 
Fig. 28. — Shipments vary somewhat according to estimated production, but the 
total of cars unloaded* in 12 great market centers varies comparatively littlp 
from season to season. Imports increase in the short crop seasons 
or heavy receipts. A heavy supply several weeks in succession may 
start a downward price movement lasting for some time if the 
season's general trend is downward, but with quick recovery if the 
general trend is upward. 
The great markets all follow the same general course, but time and 
extent of temporary price changes vary according to local supply. 
The New York market shows the most direct response to volume of 
car-lot supply and is more or less the index market. 
BERMUDA SUPPLY AND PRICES 
Market seasons of domestic Bermuda onions are much alike in a 
few usual and general features, including the early high prices, 
rapid decline, and then a fairly steady or slightly downward trend, 
as in Figure 29, often with a brief upward turn at or near the 
season's end. The result of increasing supplies shows strongly in 
