Fresh Meat Trade in Buyers' Favor Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago In general wholesale fresh meat trade was draggy during the week ending August 15. This was particularly true at Atlantic coast markets. In most instances sellers were burdened with rather heavy carry-overs from the preceding week. This gave the buyers an advantage which they were not slow to grasp. At Chicago trade was draggy early in the week, but later cooler weather and curtailed supplies stimulated trade and gave the market a somewhat firmer tone. At no time were supplies of fresh stock excessive, either at Chicago or eastern markets. Sellers conducted their operations skillfully, and as a result net price changes for the week were comparatively few and genIn the main better grades of beef were erally unimportant. scarce and firm to 50 higher. Lower grades, mostly from grassfed stock, were in liberal supply and declines ranging from 50¢$1 were not uncommon. Veal was firm to higher, New York showing rather substantial advances. Lamb prices were not materially changed, advances of $1 at some markets being counterbalanced by similar declines at others. Mutton was practically unchanged and much the same was true of fresh pork cuts. New York reported unusually heavy importations of meat and meat products from a long list of foreign sources. Beef.-Finished corn-fed beef was comparatively scarce, and sellers had no difficulty in cleaning up stocks at firm to higher prices. There was a seasonal increase, however, in grass-fed beef and that kind moved slowly at weak to slightly lower prices. Veal. The few carcasses of choice veal offered found ready sale at firm to $1 higher prices. Carcasses of heavy calves were sometimes hard to move at prevailing quotations. The New York market showed exceptional strength, practically all grades ranging from $1-$2 net higher for the week, with some choice veal as much as $3 higher. Lambs.-Supplies at eastern markets were fairly liberal and average quality was below trade requirements. As a result prices declined about $1 at New York and Philadelphia, whereas Boston maintained practically a steady market. At Chicago diminished supplies and a fair demand were responsible for firm to a shade higher prices. Top quotations averaged about 50¢ higher for the week. Mutton.-Supplies were extremely light and much the same was true of the demand. The two, however, maintained about an even balance and prices were virtually unchanged. Pork. Offerings of fresh pork cuts were comparatively light both at eastern and mid-western markets. Cooler weather helped trade somewhat, but as a rule buyers refused to follow any advance in prices. Some irregularity in price movements was noted, but net changes were slight. In the main loins were weak to slightly lower, with shoulder cuts firm and in some instances as much as $1 higher. Boston Wool Market Quotations The wool market was strong throughout the week ending August 19. Advances ranging from 2-3¢ per pound. Demand centered largely on domestic wool, largely because this was available at prices considerably under those asked for foreign wools of comparable grade. A substantial advance in exchange rates tended to widen this spread in prices. South American wools were slow, but the tone of the market was firm. Shipments of foreign wools held in bond were again noted. Watermelons Profitable in Central Georgia The watermelon deal in Middle Georgia was considered locally a financial success. By August 15 movement was practically ended, and very little good stock remained for shipment, according to the Federal market news representative formerly stationed at Macon. Prices closed strong on August 12, when top mark of the season was reached at $375 per car for 30-pound average Thurmond Grays, thus fulfilling the most optimistic prediction. Movement of melons from the Middle Georgia section began during the last days of the heavy shipments from South Georgia and competing States. This was while the large city markets were still glutted, from July 7 to 25. There were no f. o. b. sales in Middle Georgia until July 21, but after that time prices for melons of good size and quality advanced almost daily. Even those of inferior quality sold comparatively well. The relation between shipments and prices appears in the following table: Origin and destination Week Aug. 9-15, 1924 Per cent of average of corresponding week 1920, 1921, Week Per cent of average Week Aug. 9-15, of corresponding Week Aug. 9-15, 1924 1924 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 1922, 1923 A preference has been shown this season for the Thurmond Gray. Tom Watsons were noticeably affected by sunburn and many carloads did not carry well. Sunburn did not affect the Thurmond Grays so much and did not show so plainly on this melon, which is of a grayish color. The few Tom Watsons that were of good size and quality sold as high as Thurmonds, but most sales were about $25 per car lower. From some loading points there were heavy shipments of Excells, but this variety represents only a small percentage of the total crop in Middle Georgia. Excells usually have been heavily discounted, but favorable growing weather made them better in quality than ever before. They made money for growers and buyers who shipped them, as they are produced at less cost than most varieties and attain large size. This variety also carries well, being particularly free from the diseases affecting the Tom Watson and the Grays. The Irish Gray has almost been supplanted by the Thurmond Gray, which has gained rapidly in popularity among the growers of Middle Georgia. This section did not encounter some of the competition usually met after August 1. South Carolina melons, mostly of inferior quality and condition, were generally shipped on short hauls. There were not enough good South Carolina melons to shut out Georgia stock from the eastern markets. Missouri's light crop this year was of indifferent quality, and main movement from that region did not begin until the Georgia season was practically over. Total watermelon shipments from Georgia will be nearly 16,000 cars, or more than twice those of 1923 and about 3,000 cars more than the heavy output of 1922. Approximately twothirds of this movement was from the South Georgia section. The South Georgia deal was a decided failure, and it is doubtful if the success of the Middle and North Georgia sections will enable the State as a whole to show a profit for the season. The first English edition of the "International Yearbook of Agricultural Legislation," published by the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome is now in press. This volume covers the year 1923 and contains texts of laws, decrees, and regulations relating to agriculture throughout the world. Special emphasis is placed upon legislation relating to trade in agricultural products, taxation, credit, insurance, landed property, contracts, animal and plant diseases, pests, etc. The volume, 1,000 pages, is indexed chronologically by countries and alphabetically by subject matter. Price $3. Copies can be reserved by addressing Joe C. Barrett, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Washington, D. C. Fruits and Vegetables Market Outlook for Late Onions The large assortment of fruits and vegetables, either homegrown or shipped in, makes late-August market prices rather irregular. About the only products showing definite trends during the period August 11-16 were peaches and eastern potatoes, which advanced sharply, and cantaloupes and pears, which declined in price. A rapid decrease in watermelon shipments marks the beginning of the end for this product. Peaches, potatoes and apples also moved in lighter volume than the week before, so that a net decrease of 2,500 cars in the shipments of 21 leading lines brought the total down to 16,470 for the week. Onions. Considerable activity in shipments of late-summer onions indicates a desire to get on the market before the heavy arrivals of fall onions. Daily movement recently has been averaging 75 cars. Last week Massachusetts shipped 140 cars, Iowa and northern California 75 each, and Washington and New York about 50 each. Massachusetts' output has been three or four times heavier than during the corresponding week last season. New Jersey, with about the same onion acreage as in 1923, has shipped nearly twice as many cars. The season has been late in Iowa and only about half the number of cars were forwarded as during the same period a year ago. New York is starting slowly, with about seven cars daily, and Washington's output to date has been scarcely more than last year's, in spite of heavier plantings. Movement of fall stock may be expected to increase gradually, until the peak is reached in September or October. Good demand and a firm tone were reported at Connecticut Valley shipping points, where f. o. b. prices ranged $2.80–$3 per 100-pound sack, according to the kind of sack. In Collin County, Texas, where the acreage has been gaining each season, Prizetakers declined slightly to $2 and Yellow Bermudas were bringing $2.50 a sack. Texas' shipments decreased to 20 cars, compared with 40 the week before. Best varieties and grades of onions in city markets continued fairly steady and ranged almost the same as a year ago. Orange County reds sold in New York at $1.50-$1.75, with yellow stock $2-$2.35. Yellow onions from almost any other part of the country ranged generally $2.50-$3.50 a sack, and early sales of Indiana white stock brought $3.50-$3.75 in Chicago. The disastrous ending of late onions last season does not seem to have hindered growers from planting about as usual this vear. Aggregate acreage in 14 late States is estimated nearly high as in 1923 and only a little below 1922. The big cut is in Californ'a, but fewer onions also are expected in New York and Massachusetts. All other important States show increases. Forecast of production places New York first, as in 1923, followed by Ohio, Indiana, California, Massachusetts and Colorado. Last year, Indiana ranked second and California third. Ohio probably will come back to normal, with 50% more onions than last season, and Colorado growers expect a 60% gain. Total commercial production in the late onion States is forecast at 12,602,000 bushels or 25,200 carloads. Last season these States shipped about 21,600 cars. MORE DOMESTIC CABBAGE The expected heavy crop of Domestic cabbage and lighter plantings of Danish type would indicate the possibility of a good season for holders of late cabbage. Production of Domestic type in 10 States is forecast at the high figure of 336, 700 tons, a gain of 25% over last year and 16,000 tons more than in 1922. Assuming that 50% to 60% will be used for kraut manufacture, 175,000 tons may be available for that purpose. This is quite an increase over all recent years, western New York alone expecting 60% more Domestic stock than in 1923. More than half the current cabbage movement is from southwest Virginia, but Colorado's shipments increased last week to 50 cars and Iowa furnished 15. New York started with six cars, and scattering shipments made up the rest of the week's total of 235. Lateness of the western season accounts for the difference of 100 cars, compared with the same period a year ago. Barrel crates of Virginia Domestic type were jobbing in eastern markets at $1.50-$1.75, with top of $2 in Washington. This stock brought $1 per crate or $13-$15 bulk per ton, f. o. b. Wythe County shipping points. On the 100-pound basis, the same variety of cabbage declined at northern Colorado points to 50, and sold for only 75¢ in Denver. All these prices St. Louis are at least one-third less than those of last August. reported Iowa round type jobbing at $30-$35 a ton. Cantaloupes.-Delaware and Maryland cantaloupe shipments are so late this year that only one-fourth as many cars have been reported as to mid-August, 1923. But movement from those States is rapidly becoming important. Indiana and Central California were most active during the week, with the season closing in most other shipping sections. Arkansas' total cantaloupe output has been almost three times as great as last year's. First cars will roll from Colorado this week and that State then becomes a leading source in the West. Turlock section Salmon Tints declined sharply in eastern cities to a range of $3.50-$4.50 per standard crate, Honey Dews bringing less than half that price. In Chicago these two types of melons sold at $3.25$3.75 and at $2-$2.25. Michigan Hearts of Gold were jobbing at $2.75-$3 in nearby markets, while Maryland Green Meats in two-basket carriers declined to $2.50 in New York City. Cincinnati reported Indiana Pink Meats at $2.75 a standard crate. Movement of Georgia watermelons continues at four times the rate of last August, whereas southeast Missouri shipments are very light. The season is closing in Alabama and the Carolinas, total output for the week decreasing to less than 2,500 cars. Georgia Tom Watsons, 24-28 pound average, sold in the East at $230-$450 bulk per car. Large size Thurmond Grays brought $500 per car on the New York market, and St. Louis quoted Missouri Tom Watsons, 22-25 pound average, at $210-$245. EASTERN POTATOES ADVANCE SHARPLY Arrivals of potatoes in New York dropped to about one-third of the previous week's receipts, but in Chicago the total was nearly double. New Jersey potatoes were moving to market rapidly, and that State replaced Virginia as leading shipping section. Total shipments for all States were 200 cars lighter. New Jersey and Delaware Cobblers strengthened to $1.50-$1.75 per 100-pound sack in most markets, and Virginia Cobblers advanced $1 per barrel, ranging $2.25-$3. In Chicago, Kansas, Cobblers were only 5¢ per 100 pounds higher at $1.35-$1.50, with Kentucky Cobblers and Minnesota Early Ohios slightly below that level. Shipping points quoted advances of 40-75¢ in the East, but the general range was barely steady in the West. Peaches. Under the decreasing supply, Georgia Elberta peaches advanced 25¢-$1.25 per bushel or crate in eastern cities, being quoted generally at $2-$2.75. Jobbing sales of North Carolina stock also were made at considerably higher prices, Belles selling around $2.25-$2.75 and Elbertas at $2.50-$3.25. At shipping points in North Carolina, Elbertas went up 85-$1 to a range of $2.25-$2.75. In some eastern consuming centers, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania Carmans sold at $1.75-82, with Delaware Hileys $1.50-$1.75 in New York. Baltimore quoted Virginia Elbertas at $2.50-$2.75. This variety from Illinois, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri sold actively in Chicago and other midwestern cities mostly around $1.75-$2.25. Total weekly shipments were nearly 900 cars less, averaging about 500 a day. Arkansas was still leading State, but with a lighter movement, and Tennessee became active. Peak of late shipments probably will occur in mid-September, when New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Michigan and several important western States jointly furnish the market supply. Apple movement decreased nearly 200 cars, averaging slightly over 60 cars a day. Michigan and New York, however, are becoming important sources of current supply. Oldenburg apples from West Virginia, New Jersey and New York ranged $1.25-$2.50 per bushel in the East, with Williams $2-$2.25. In Chicago, Michigan Maiden Blush brought $2.25-$2.50. Celery prices tended lower. New York Golden Self-Blanching ranged $2-$2.25 per two-thirds crated in New York, and Michigan Golden Hearts 756-$1 per highball crate. Iceberg-type lettuce from Colorado and California sold from $3.50 to $6.50 per crate. Washington stock brought $5.75-$8, while New York Big Boston jobbed in most markets around $1-$2 a crate. Sweet potato prices were generally stronger. North Carolina yellow varieties bought $7-$9 per barrel and a few Alabama yellows $3.25 per bushel. The Connecticut Valley onion section consists of that part of western Massachusetts along the Connecticut River between Greenfield and Northampton. Heaviest shipping stations are located between these two points, although some scattering shipments come from adjacent territory. No essential changes in producing territory have been made in recent years. The onion land is nearly all level and lies between hills rising at a distance of a few miles from each side of the Connecticut River. Considerable tobacco also is produced in this region. 18 44 9 678 446 477 3. 25-3.75 4.00-4. 25 3.00 4.50-5.00! 4.00-4.25 3.50-4.00 3.50-3.75 3.00-3.25 2.50-2.75 4.00 4.00 3.25 2.50-2.75 Watermelons. Tomatoes. Vegetables, mixed. Total. 1 Honeydew figures for last season included in cantaloupes. 376 431 197 17,372 15, 629 24, 116 632 Georgia Elbertas About Shipped Georgia's peach deal was record-breaking, as most factors had expected at the beginning of the season. Shipments to August 16 had reached 13,378 cars, against 8,700 moved to a corresponding date in 1923 and, with only a few shipping days remaining for the North Georgia district, it was expected that the season's total would reach 13,500 cars. This compares with total carlot shipments of 8,701 in 1923; 7,368 in 1922, and 10,636 in 1921. Movement of Georgia peaches in July was unprecedented and has rarely been equaled on crops of such a highly perishable nature. Records compiled from reports by common carriers show that 10,229 cars were shipped during that month, against July totals of 5,898 cars in 1923; 3,681 in 1922, and 5,564 in 1921. However, June shipments were the lightest in four years, the figures for 1924 being 1,704 cars; for 1923, 2,238 cars; for 1922, 3,002 cars, and for 1921, 3,659 cars. The light output that month was attributed to cool dry weather during May and June, according to the Federal market news representative stationed at Macon during the active season. After the heavy movement of early varieties, there was a lull from June 24 to 30, and terminal markets generally recovered before Carmans began to arrive in volume. First straight cars of this variety were shipped about June 25 and Carmans sold up to June 30 at $1.50-$2 per crate or bushel, f. o. b. usual terms. From July 1 to 7, however, the f. o. b. cash track market ranged mostly $1.25-$1.50 on best large stock, with poor small stock rolling unsold. After that date, Carmans were in little demand, and best large sizes declined by July 9 to a range of $1-$1.10. First sales of Hileys ranged $1.85-$2.25 on July 2, according to quality and condition. As the movement of this variety increased, price declines followed and, on July 9, f. o. b. usual terms sales ranged $1.10-$1.25, with most stock rolled unsold. Shipments of Hileys continued as late as July 19, but only a few scales of the most desirable stock were reported at 756-856. Georgia Belles were quoted first on July 11 at $1.25-$1.50, but heavy movement of this variety did not start until the 15th. At that time, the f. o. b. market was generally 90% cash and $1 usual terms, with most stock rolling unsold. There was little f. o. b. activity on either Hileys or Belles between this date and the 19th, and only the very best stock was sold, ranging 756-90¢. On July 16 first sales of Elbertas were reported at $1.25 f. o. b. usual terms, compared with $2-$2.40 the year before. Best stock sold at that price until the 21st, although poorer quality ranged as low as $1. On July 22 most sales were reported at $1.10-$1.25 f. o. b. usual terms. The Georgia market, however, was steady to firm and terminal markets showed more interest in f. o. b. buying. During the remainder of the week f. o. b. sales ranged mostly $1.15-$1.25, with a |