46 
BULLETIN/ 1283, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS 
Freight rates have exerted a depressing influence whenever other 
conditions caused low prices. (See Table 8.) Since freight is a fixed 
charge, the closer the ratio between transportation cost and the sell- 
ing price of the goods, the less is the shipper's opportunity to make 
a profit and the greater his likelihood of heavy loss if the market goes 
against him. 
Available transportation facilities also affect prices. At the be- 
ginning of the 1920 season, the switchmen's strike threatened for a 
time to tie up the movement and cause a very wide spread in prices 
between shipping points or accessible markets and cities that could 
not be reached. The same result is effected, though in a less degree, 
when there is a car shortage or when the proper kinds of cars for the 
movement of the crop can not be secured. 
Table 8. — Transportation cost and usual transportation period of Bermuda onions 
from Laredo, Tex., to cities shown, 1916-1923 
[Freight and war tax, in cents, per 50-pound crate] 
Destination 
Shipping season 
Shipped on 
T\ ednesday, 
sold on — 
1916 
1917 
1918 
1919 
1920 
1921 
1922 
1923 
St. Louis 
Chicago 
Pittsburgh 
Philadelphia 
New York 
Boston 
29.0 
32.5 
41.0 
46.0 
47.0 
49.0 
29.0 
32.5 
41.0 
46.0 
47.0 
49.0 
30.0 
33.5 
42.0 
49.5 
50.5 
53.0 
37.0 
33.5 
55.0 
63.0 
64.0 
66.0 
37.0 
42.0 
55.0 
63.0 
64.0 
66.0 
50.0 
57.0 
74.0 
63.0 
85.5 
89.0 
44.0 
49.5 
64.5 
73. 5 
75. 
77.0 
44.0 
49.5 
64.5 
73. 5 
75.0 
77.0 
Monday. 
Do. 
Tuesday. 
Wednesday. 
Thursday. 
Do. 
SUPPLY AND PRICES OF COMPETING FOODSTUFFS 
The demand for onions is not influenced by the supply of other 
foodstuffs on the market to so great an extent as the demand for most 
perishable fruits or vegetables. The demand is rather inelastic. 
Statistics of unloaded cars of all onions for the 10 leading cities of 
the United States during the calendar years 1916 to 1919 show that 
the quantity of onions consumed annually in these cities remains 
fairly constant, regardless of high or low prices. 14 
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PRICE AT A GIVEN POINT 
Wholesale prices paid for Bermuda onions are mainly dependent 
upon general and seasonal factors rather than upon condition in any 
given locality. If demand is insufficient to take a car at the usual 
price in one city, onions can be shipped to another place, or they can 
usually be held until the market has come back into line with the 
others. Prices move uniformly in all of the principal cities, partic- 
ularly those in a given eastern or western group. (See Table 9.) 
Variations between prices paid in different cities result from: (1) Dif- 
ferences in quantity, quality, and condition of receipts; (2) dif- 
ferences in transportation rates from shipping points; (3) degree of 
competition of dealers; (4) weather conditions in the city; (5) market 
preference^: and (6) miscellaneous factors. 
>< United States Department of Agriculture. The Market Reporter, July 17, 1920, p. 1. 
