326 
American Agriculturist, April 7,1923 
Reviewing the Latest Eastern Markets and Prices 
WHEEE AEE ALL THOSE 
POTATOES? 
HERSCHEL H. JONES 
D ealers and shippers have been 
puzzled by the surprising advance 
of wholesale prices for potatoes in the 
last month and the fairly steady mar¬ 
ket, in view of the official estimates 
given out last fall as to the enormous 
size of this year’s crop. The question 
has been raised as to whether the esti¬ 
mates of the largest crop in years were 
accurate, and if so, what has become' 
of all the potatoes? 
The Federal Department of Agricul¬ 
ture has not seen fit to revise its crop 
estimates, but it gave out some informa¬ 
tion last week which was interpreted 
as follows by the New York State De¬ 
partment of Farms and Markets: 
“With more potatoes grown last fall 
than ordinarily, there had deteriorated 
by March 1 approximately 40,000 car¬ 
loads. Further shrinkage and loss will 
reduce the supplies of good No. 1 pota¬ 
toes, but even if 90,000 carloads were 
available the daily shipments from 
March 1 to the end of June would have 
to average 750 cars to use all market¬ 
able stock. March shipments have aver¬ 
aged 700 cars a day, but the movement 
is gradually decreasing, and last week 
there were filled only 4,450 cars, or about 
400 cars less than in the preceding week. 
In consequence of the reduction in acre¬ 
age of early potatoes in Southern states 
and a reduction in intermediate sec¬ 
tions, there may be a better opportunity 
for Northern' growers and dealers to 
dispose of old potatoes. The delay of 
heavy movement from Florida until 
April 20 will also give an outlet for 
Northern stocks. Cold weather caused 
considerable damage to early potatoes.” 
Stocks of white potatoes in hand of 
growers and dealers on March 1, 1923, 
in 21 Northern states which produce 
about four-fifths of the crop of the en¬ 
tire United States are reported at 
152,117,000 bushels, compared with 
102,764,000 bushels on March 1, 1922. 
Stocks in these states on March 1 this 
year show 42.4 per cent remaining of 
the total production of 358,815,000 
bushels in 1922, while stocks on March 
1 last year represented 35.4 per cent 
remaining of the 1921 production of 
290,285,000 bushels. 
The total carlot shipments of pota¬ 
toes up to March 25 were 206,661 cars, 
compared with 201,198 last season to 
date, and 238,285 for the entire last 
season. New York State’s shipments, 
excluding Long Island, to March 25, 
were 9,519 cars, compared with 12,269 
to same date last year. 
POTATO MARKET UP AND DOWN 
State potatoes in New York - City 
markets reached $3.75 to $4 per 150-lb. 
sack last week. Shippers quoted up to 
$3.50 per sack on carlots delivered. 
Buyers turned their attention to West- 
eim stock and bought 150-lb. sacks 
freely at $2.40 to $3.25. 
Up-State growers sold some stock 
for $1 per bu., but this price did not 
hold. When later in the week prices at 
New York dropped to $2.50 to $3 per 
sack, with only very few fancy, higher, 
loaders refused to pay over 60c per bu. 
At the end of the week, because of the 
Jewish holidays, buyers held off expect¬ 
ing heavy supplies and light demand. 
Florida potatoes came in more freely 
and were sold at $12 to $15 per bbl. 
RAW WOOL MORE ACTIVE 
The quielf of the larger wool markets 
gave way in late March and early April 
to healthy trading, with buyers stating 
their needs more openly, better grades 
of wools changing hands at firm prices 
and the whole trade watching closely 
the trend of the contract business on 
raw fleeces in the country. The optim¬ 
ism was one concerning the strength of 
the market rather than over advance in 
prices, although the Boston wool mar¬ 
ket is several cents a pound higher on 
the best domestic grades than one 
month ago. Wage increases in several 
of the large woolen mills gave rise to 
the impression that the outlook would 
be good this season on manufactured 
wools, and foreign markets report 
a good business in wools ready for 
the mills. The Philadelphia market re¬ 
acted more slowly, but later underwent 
the same improvement. 
At Boston, Ohio and Pennsylvania 
unwashed fleeces, fine delaine, sold in 
late March at 56 to 58c per lb., 14-blood 
50 @ 51c, %-blood 52 @ 53c, 14-blood 
55 @ 56c. 
DRIED beans no BETTER 
The New York market for dried 
beans shows no improvement in spite 
of high prices at country points. The 
Michigan market last week was about 
$7.60 to $7.65, equivalent to about $8.15 
per 100-lb. bag on the dock at New 
York. Both State and Michigan choice 
pea beans were being sold, spot at New 
York, however, at $8.40 to $8.50, which 
would hardly cover cartage and other 
charges above the price given above. 
State white kidneys were held in first 
hands at about $9.75. In order to make 
a reasonable profit, dealers should get 
at least $10.60 for white kidneys that 
cost them $9.75 up-State, yet fanciest 
whites are selling here spot at $9.75 
per 100-lb. bag. 
HAY MARKET GETTING FIRMER 
Due to the refusal of the New York 
Central to issue permits for the ship¬ 
ment of hay during the last three 
weeks, the arrivals at the 33d Street 
sheds were lighter, and the market 
tended to become considerably firmer 
toward the end of last week. The bad 
condition of the roads in the country 
is likely to prevent very heavy shipping 
in the next few weeks, and the stocks 
of hay on hand at various loading sta¬ 
tions in New York at present are not 
heavy. Consequently, a better market 
is expected for the next week or so. 
River shipments by barge, which usu¬ 
ally tend to bring the market down on 
ordinary grades of hay, will not be 
started until about the middle of April. 
Quotations are given in the box in the 
center of this page. 
FANCY APPLES IN DEMAND 
.Barreled apples were in light supply 
last week, and there was a strong de¬ 
mand for fancy fruit. Much of the 
fruit, especially Greenings, showed 
scald from storage and were not desir¬ 
able. Wholesale prices, March 29, per 
bbl., A grade, 214-inch, were as follows: 
Varikty Best Fancy Ordinary 
Baldwins .i!5.25(?® 5.50 $5.75i?? 0 $-1.50@4.75 
Greenings 5.50@ 5.75 0 ^7) 0.25 4.5005 
Ben Davis 3.500 .3.75 4 0 3 03.25 
N. Spy.. 10 @11 12 @13 7 @8 
At this time last year best Greenings 
sold at $8.50 to $10 per bbl., Baldwins 
$7.50 to $8, Northern Spys $8 to $9, 
Ben Davis $6.50 to $6.75. 
EGG RECEIPTS HEAVY 
In spite of the blizzards, egg ship¬ 
ments were heavier last week than in 
the corresponding weeks of 1922 and 
1921, chiefly from the Middle West. The 
demand for fancy large eggs was very 
strong on account of the Easter trade, 
however’. There was considerable accu¬ 
mulation of nearby white eggs, and 
the market weakened on the bulk of the 
nearby eggs received. Selected New 
Jersey hennery whites were scarce 
and brought more than their usual 
The market on intermediate and low 
grades was very unsatisfactory. The 
range of prices paid was wide and deal¬ 
ers were frequently confronted with 
the problem of sacrificing eggs of ordi¬ 
nary quality at below the market price, 
or holding them ort an uncertain market 
that might decline rapidly. Many lots 
were cleaned up early last week at 28 
to 30c per dozen, and only very fancy 
quality sold as high as 38 to 39c. 
It is the general belief in the market 
that eggs will fall sharply after Easter, 
and that the large markets will be 
flooded in the next month. Monday 
and Friday last week the receipts at 
New York were over 236,000 cases, 
compared with 159,000 in the previous 
six days, and 138,000 cases in the cor¬ 
responding period last year. Storage 
packed firsts are now selling at 27 to 
27%c per dozen at New York, with some 
good packs at 28c. The bulk of trade 
in Western eggs, regular pack, last week, 
was within a range of 24 to 25^40. The 
chain stores are offering guaranteed 
fresh eggs to consumers at 29c per 
dozen. 
POULTRY MARKET ACTIVE 
Express shipments of fowls sold at 
30 to 34c lb. most of the week. Some 
White Leghorn fowls sold at 3Qc. Ex¬ 
press shipments of broilers sold very 
readily at 75c each for colored and 70c 
for White Leghorn. 
Capons, live, by freight, average run, 
sold at 35 to 40c lb. Ducks from Long 
Island, 35c. lb.; from other nearby sec¬ 
tions, 28 @ 30c; pigeons, per pair, live, 
65c; rabbits, 32 @ 35c. lb. 
BUTTER MARKET UNCERTAIN 
Although a high level of wholesale 
prices for butter continued last week, 
the general feeling was very nervous, 
due to anticipation of heavier supplies. 
A year ago fresh creamery extras were 
quoted at 37 to 37^4c, or II 14 to 12c 
below the present wholesale rates. Part 
of the advance in prices is due to im¬ 
proved industrial conditions. Demand 
for immediate consumptibn very nearly 
balances the present receipts, but occa¬ 
sionally the desire on the part of buyers 
to secure their supplies ahead of time 
tends to stimulate a higher market than 
the general situation would seem to 
warrant. For this reason, the market 
has played back and forth between 49 
and 51c per pound for fresh creamery 
extras for several weeks past. There is 
an unusually narrow range between 
the poorest and best grades of butter at 
present, due to the fact that a greater 
Quotations From Eastern Markets 
The following are the prices at which farm products of special interest to 
eastern farmers sold on March 29: 
Eggs, Nearbys (cents per dozen) 
New Jersey hennery whites uncandled, extras.., 
Other hennery whites, extras. 
Extra firsts.. 
Firsts . 
Gathered, whites, first to extra firsts. 
Dower grades. 
Hennery browns, extras. 
Gathered browns and mixed colors, extras. 
Pullets No. 1. 
Butter (cents per pound) 
Creamery (salted) high score. 
Extra (92 score). 
State dairy (salted), finest.. 
Good to prime.. 
New York 
41044 
38040 
35037 
32034 
Buffalo 
29030 
32037 
:)3@34 
30032 
28029 
27028 
49% @50 
55056 
49 
53055 
48 %3 
51052 
47%2@48 
43050 
Phila. 
26% 
25 
Hay and Straw, Large Bales (per ton) 
Timothy No. 2. 
Timothy No. 3. 
Timothy Sample. 
Fancy light clover mixed 
Alfalfa, second cutting. . 
Oat straw No. 1. 
Live Poultry, Express Lots (cents per lb.) 
Fowls, colored fancy, heavy. 
Fowls, leghorns and poor. 
Chickens, leghorns. 
Roosters. 
Live Stock (cents per pound) 
Calves, good to medium. 
Bulls, common to good. 
Lambs, common to good. 
Sheep, common to good ewes. 
Hogs, Yorkers... 
U. S. Grades 
$25026 
23024 
16018 
25@26 
30031 
18019 
32033 
29030 
29030 
15016 
13% @14% 
40 4% 
9% @12% 
3%@ 5% 
90 9% 
48% 
Old Grade Standards 
$20021 $ 21 
. 1'019 
31032 
28030 
21023 
17018 
11015 
40 6 
14015 
60 8% 
0 
21022 
15.5b@i6 
31032 
28030 
19020 
proportion than usual of the stock is of 
fine quality. 
DRESSED CALVES IN DEMAND 
Receipts of country-dressed veal 
calves early in the week before Easter 
were moderate, and the demand for 
them was active, with a firm market 
until the end of the week, when re¬ 
ceipts became much heavier. The pro¬ 
portion of really fancy heavy veals was 
very limited, and these often sold at 
a considerable premium over general 
quotations. Many shipments were 
made a little too late to get the best 
pre-Easter market. 
Apparently dressed hot-house lambs 
were held back for the Easter trade, 
-as supply was very limited until the 
middle of the week. The demand was 
active, and dealers had many orders to 
fill, so that the receipts were quickly 
absorbed and the market continued 
strong. First half of last week the 
sale price was $12 to $13 each, with 
some sales of selected fancy lambs at 
$14 to $15, and even up to $17. The 
demand will be less active and prices 
lower when the Easter trade is sup¬ 
plied. 
FEED PRICES BREAKING 
The usual spring decline in feed 
prices was evident in the Buffalo whole¬ 
sale feed market last week. Liberal of¬ 
ferings and slow demand brought down 
wholesale prices on all feeds except 
white hominy. Gluten feed dropped $2 
per ton. Quotations March 28 on car- 
lots, Buffalo rate basis in 100-lb. sacks 
per ton, were: 
Glutpn feed, $44.55 : cottouKecd meal, 36 
per cent, $45.75 ; oil meal, 31 per cent, $39.50; 
standard spring bran, $33.75 : hard winter 
.bran, $34.25 ; standard spring middlings, 
$33.75 ; choice flour middlings, $35.25 : white 
hominy, $32.05 ; No. 2 yellow corn, per bushel, 
85%c; No. 2 white oats, 51%; barley, feed, 
72 0 76c; No. 2 rye, 92c. 
CASH GRAINS AT NE'W YORK 
The following were cash grain prices 
at New York March 30: 
No. 2 red wheat, $1.45% ; No. 2 hard winter^ 
$1.32% ; No. 2 mixed durum, $1.22% ; No. 2 
yellow corn, 93%c: No. 2 mixed corn, 93%c: 
No. 2 white oats, 56 @56%c: rye, 92c: barley, 
81@82e; buckwheat, $1.86%. 0 2.10. At 
Chicago : No. 2 yellow corn, 76c ; No. 2 white 
oats, 45% 0 46c. 
Spring Egg Season 
Means Plentiful Production 
To Obtain Good Results 
SHIP NOW 
TAUBER BROS. 
183 DUANE ST., NEW YORK CITY 
WANTED FRESH 
Brown and White Eggs 
Also Duck Eggs 
GEO. M. RITTENHOUSE & CO. 
23 and 25 Jay Street, New York 
, Established 1867 
SHIP 
to the right house 
M. ROTH & CO. 
EST. 1892 
185 Duane St., N. Y. C. 
Write for shipping Tags. 
SHIP YOUR EGGS 
WHITE AND BROWN 
To R. BRENNER & SONS 
Bonded Commission Merchants 
358 Greenwich St., New York City 
Get our price before 
you sell. We buy it 
in large or small lots. 
Spot cash; quick re¬ 
turns. Will furnish 
sacks. Write to-day giving us full par¬ 
ticulars. Send the names of your friends. 
KEYSTONE HIDE CO., Lancaster, Pa. 
WRITE EOR FREE SHIPPING TAGS 
When writing to advertisers please 
mention American Agriculturist. 
