MaHketing onions 49 
In 1923-24, although the crop was estimated to be somewhat lighter, 
supplies were large and the price followed about the same general 
level as in the season before. A range of $2 to $3 per 100 pounds 
covered most sales of yellow onions in the cities, although very low 
prices were recorded near the end of the season. Red onions were 
scarce and sold at $3 to $4. 
The course of these seven market seasons shows the general tend- 
ency for high prices to alternate with low prices. The need of 
watching all conditions is shown by the inflation of prices in war- 
times, the effect of prosperity or hard times on consumption, and the 
apparent influence of tariff changes on supply and price. In 1918 
and again in 1921 the relative scarcity of large stock suitable for 
storage tended to depress prices: in the fall and to raise prices later 
in the season. In 1922 the inferiority of the eastern crop and the 
consequent dependence on the West for much of the supply brought 
about higher prices, especially in eastern markets. A crop of in- 
ferior quality in a commercial area limits the marketable supply 
and tends to raise the price. Data on prices of onions to jobbers, by 
varieties, are given in detail in Tables 14, 15, and 16. 
FORECASTING THE MARKET 
During the seven seasons under consideration it would have been 
fairly safe to predict high prices for both early and late onions in 
a season following a year of heavy production and low prices. 
A short crop, with a total shipping movement of 20,000 cars (Table 
10) twice in this period has been followed by a heavy season with 
a movement of approximately 30,000 cars, as compared with the 
five-year average of 24,000. Yet during the past 10 years there have 
been instances of two light years or two heavy years in succession. 
The southern grower especially should study the reports of crop 
conditions and stocks in storage in competing sections, both domestic 
and foreign, the quantity and quality of the old northern stock suit- 
able for storage, and the probable condition of business and general 
prosperity at the season of marketing. 
The northern grower is less affected by foreign-crop conditions, 
and the southern crop is a matter of concern chiefly to the compara- 
tively small number of commercial growers who store their own 
onions. At planting time, about the only indication available is 
from reports of the southern acreage. The reports of intended 
planting in other northern sections should be noted; although some- 
times, as in 1923, a large yield per acre may offset a smaller acreage. 
The early official estimates of late-crop production are of some 
value to southern planters whose plans are influenced by the prob- 
able supply of northern stock on the spring markets. The average 
estimated annual production in 16 main-crop States (Table 12) for 
the five seasons 1918 to 1922 inclusive was about 13,000,000 bushels. 
If the main crop is much below this average, storage supplies are 
likely to be low, followed by an early clean up and a shortage in the 
late spring. Poor storage quality of a crop average may result in 
a light supply in late spring. 
