Valley points.

1 Carloads f. o. b. cash track to growers.

2 Wagonloads cash to growers.

Yellow Globes-Shippers' asking price.

Colorado Lettuce in Demand

Colorado lettuce is in a precarious position, due to the hot; dry weather which was destroying considerable of the early crop that should have been moving to market the latter part of August. Shippers in the Granby, Yampa, and Buena Vista districts reported that the early lettuce was very poor, but fortunately a larger proportion was planted to mature late this year and this stock may be of good quality. Such was the case last season, and the best market was from September 15 to the end of October. However, the Federal-State market news representative at Denver advises that the demand exceeds the supply of lettuce in car lots, and shippers received $4-$4.25 per crate around August 19. Up to that time, 135 cars had been forwarded from Colorado.

Cabbage showed signs of an improved demand and movement, when 18 cars rolled on August 19 and the prevailing price in car lots was 50¢ per 100 pounds. About 175 cars had then been shipped from the State, but this was only one-third of the output to the same time last year.

The movement of Colorado potatoes was increasing in volume daily and 508 cars had been shipped from the western slope up to August 19. Potato markets were unsettled and weaker, and growers in the Fruita district were receiving 90 per 100 pounds for Irish Cobblers. A little later the Delta-Montrose section reported Peoples Russets and Cobblers bringing 85¢-90¢.

Potatoes at Stockton, Calif.

Potato growers in the Stockton district of California have organized an association to assist in the sale and distribution of their crop. This association, according to reports from the Federal market news representative at San Francisco, is said to comprise 75% of the growers in the Delta and upland regions of the Sacramento River district. With an increase of 7,000 acres of potatoes over last year and a larger yield, every effort is being made to secure fair returns for their output.

Although California is experiencing one of the driest years in its history and other crops are suffering on account of this drought, the yield of potatoes is considerably heavier and the quality superior to that of other years. This is due primarily to the fact that the nights have been warm and growing conditions in general ideal. On land that has recently been burned off, the yields were running as high as 300 sacks per acre. The average yield on old land was from 100 to 150 sacks per acre. This territory is subirrigated with trenches running through the fields, and a gentle seepage works upward to the surface. The Delta tracts are from 4 to 8 feet below the surface of the Sacramento River, and, in the process of irrigation, it is necessary only to open a flume allowing ample water to flow into the irrigating canals. During the rainy seasons large pumping stations are operated to keep the water from flooding the lands.

Buyers in the field operate their own motor boats, visiting the various fields where digging is in progress and buying the supplies f. o. b. the river bank on a sack basis, estimating the weight of sacks from 110 to 116 pounds each. Transportation costs to the loading stations are paid by the purchaser. Growers were receiving $1.50-$1.60 per sack f. o. b. the river bank for their No. 1 stock during the middle of August.

Colorado Pears Moving to Market

On August 8 three cars of pears rolled from the Palisades section of Mesa County, Colo., thus marking the beginning of the shipping season in that State. By the 23d of the month the Western Slope had forwarded 260 cars of this fruit, compared with about 220 cars during the same period last season. Peak of the Bartlett movement was reached the week of August 18 to 23. The peak day last season came August 18, when 29 cars were shipped.

The August 1 estimate of production shows a 106,000 bushel increase over the 1923 crop of 400,000 bushels, and local estimates place the Western Slope shipments this season at 725 to 800 cars. In 1923 Mesa County marketed 689 cars of pears and Delta County 7 cars. Clifton is the largest loading point, being credited last year with 339 cars, followed by Grand Junetion with 281 and Palisades with 69 cars.

According to advices from the Federal market reporter located at Grand Junction, each loading point has a slightly different season. The crop around Palisades is the earliest and the second picking there is usually under way before the other stations start. The pear season at Grand Junction and Clifton opens about a week or 10 days later than Palisades, while at Paonia, in Delta County, the movement starts the first week in September. It is expected that the first cars of Kieffers will be shipped about September 10.

Prices were high during the opening week. Contracts with growers were reported early in August at $2 per box for fancy Bartletts, $1.75 for choice boxes, and $1.70 for bushel baskets. The first cash-track sale was reported August 9 at $2.50 for boxes of fancy Bartletts, compared with $2.50-$2.75 in Oregon and $3 in the Sacramento district of California. From August 11 to 16 the Colorado f. o. b. market was steady, with carloads of fancy Bartletts selling on a usual terms basis mostly at $2.75 a box, choice stock from $2.40 to $2.50, and bushel baskets from $2.15 to $2.40, according to size and quality.

Pears are being graded this season in conformance with the Colorado specifications for this fruit. Four grades are recognized under the State regulations: Colorado No. 1, Colorado No. 2, Colorado No. 3, and the Colorado combination 1 and 2 grade. The combination grade requires at least 25% of the pears to meet requirements of the Colorado No. 1 specifications. In addition to these four grades, there is permitted a Colorado orchard-run grade. This consists of No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 pears, and at least 25% of the stock packed under this grade must meet requirements of the Colorado No. 1. Packages also are marked with the minimum size of the fruit.

According to the Federal census of 1920 there were about 176,000 pear trees in Colorado, of which Mesa County had 115,525. It has been estimated by the local factors in the deal that 35% to 40% of the crop consists of Bartletts, 10% to 15% various varieties such as Clapp's Favorite, Howell, d'Anjou, and Flemish Beauty, and the remaining 50% Kieffers.

summer.

Northwestern Drought Broken

Mild and widely distributed rains started in the Pacific Northwest on August 17 and broke the drought which has gripped that section through most of the spring and all the The long-continued dry weather, however, has not been so disastrous as might be expected. East of the Cascade Mountains growers depend upon irrigation, and this has failed in only a few sections. West of the range, the average temperature has been low, with cool nights and very little wind, so that throughout the Willamette Valley some moisture was still in the soil before the recent rainfall. This probably accounts for the unexpectedly fair returns of grain and vegetable crops, on which only discouraging estimates had been placed previous to harvest.

According to reports from the Federal market news representative at Portland, the rain came in time to be of real benefit to the farmers. The late potato crop usually is not harvested until November, so a long growing season is still ahead. The crop had scarcely developed enough to induce second growth. Even the onions, which appeared nearly matured, will continue to grow two or three weeks as a result of the rains.

Prunes

Prunes are about the only crop affected adversely. from the Willamette Valley are precarious shippers at best, and, when rain comes during harvest, most distributors withdraw from the field and the remainder of the crop goes to the driers. Celery prospects in the Portland district are reported excellent. If prices prove favorable, about 150 cars may be shipped, beginning around September 1.

Minnesota Potato Situation

From present indications Minnesota will have an excellent potato crop this year. As compared with the 399,000 acres planted last season, there are only 367,000 this year, but the increased yield will make up for the difference in plantings, the August estimate for 1924 being about 1,700,000 bushels more than the August estimate in 1923. With a total crop forecast at 39,196,000 bushels, Minnesota has passed New York State and has taken first place.

Potatoes harvested to date in the early producing sections showed an average of 115 bushels per acre, and prospects for the State as a whole are that this average will be maintained, or possibly bettered, providing the crop is not cut by disease or frost. Some Blight and Black Leg have been reported in a few sections of the Red River Valley, according to advices from the Federal market news representative at Minneapolis. The extent of this injury is not yet known. Because of the lateness of the season, growers are more worried about frost than any other single factor that is likely to affect the crop.

The Sandland district has shipped a few cars of potatoes, but movement was expected to gain rapidly. First car was loaded on the 23d of July, and to August 23 about 350 had been shipped, compared with 1,060 to the same time last season. More recently stations as far north as St. Cloud have begun shipping. The Red River Valley is late, and movement from that region will not attain considerable volume before the middle of September.

Quality promises to be good. The first cars from the vicinity of Minneapolis were only partly graded, and practically all showed considerable second growth, but the late crop will be of better quality. Demand has been slow. Though many of the shipments have gone to the northern Stas, most cars have rolled south, unsold.

The car situation appears to be in fair shape to take care of the crops. Railroads particularly interested in this territory were reported on August 1 to be in possession of practically all their box cars, as indicated by the following percentages: Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway, 95%; Great Northern Railway, 99.4%; Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad, 116%; Northern Pacific Railway, 89.5%; and the Soo Line, 98%. While this reserve is perhaps not so large as it should be to take care of the heavy production of all crops, with a little cooperation in promptly returning empties the railroads will be able to handle the situation nicely.

Prunes in France

The Department of Garonne, which is the heart of the French prune industry, will produce only 8,267 short tons this season against 24,800 short tons in 1923, according to cabled advices from Edward A. Foley, American agricultural commissioner at London.

Conflicting reports regarding the condition of prunes in France have been very confusing to the trade and to producers. That California growers are vitally interested is shown by the fact in 1922, when the French crop was below normal at about 12,000 short tons, California sold 13,000 short tons of dried prunes in France. In 1923, when French production was abnormally large, California disposed of less than 3,000 tons in that market. The situation this season should prove profitable to American producers.

Poultry Consumption on the Increase in Italy Italy is consuming more poultry now than before the war according to information recently received by the United States Department of Agriculture from a foreign representative. Per capita consumption increased from 5 lbs. 8 oz. in 1913 to 7 lbs. 1134 oz. in 1922, making an increase of 39 per cent. These figures are taken from the compilations of the municipal taxes on live poultry and other food products entering towns and cities.

Poultry investigators, instructors, wholesalers, and superintendents of the markets of the cities of Milan, Rome, Naples, and Florence seem to be generally of the opinion that there are approximately 65,000,000 poultry in Italy at the present time, and that this shows a gradual increase in numbers from 50,000,000 previous to 1906.

In 1923 Italy imported more live poultry than ever before by approximately 66 per cent, while her exports of live poultry were only about 20 per cent of the pre-war normal. At present imports are mainly from Yugoslavia, with Hungary as the most important secondary source of supply.

Dairy and Poultry

Butter Market Closed Easy and Unsettled

The week ending August 23 opened with all markets firm on top scores, undoubtedly due to some export inquiry late the previous week.

The easier condition on the markets at the close was largely due to the fact that the anticipated buying for the English markets did not develope into any volume of business. Sentiment also seemed to be in favor of lower prices in view of the prospects of a heavy fall make of butter. During the week rains and cool weather were reported over a large part of the producing sections. However, opinions as to the extent of production during the coming months varied greatly. Some predict a twenty per cent heavier fall make than last year while others are of the opinion that with high grain and meat prices, milk production will be materially reduced. Coming back to current facts, the American Association of Creamery Butter Manufacturers report for the week ending August 16 showed an increase of 16.28% over corresponding week last year and 5.4% decrease from the previous week, while the Minnesota cooperative creameries association shows an increase of 0.915% over the previous week.

The continued heavy production as compared with last year is showing up in the receipts again this week, with all markets except Chicago recording considerably heavier receipts for the first half of the week. These heavy receipts did not result in an abnormal amount of butter accumulation on the street as there was apparently a fair volume moving into consumptive channels and an inclination on the part of some dealers to continue to send butter to the freezer that could not be sold at a profit. Other operators were taking on more butter to average down the cost of that already in storage. Storage holdings continued to increase at the four markets. At the present rate, close students of the figures are predicting that holdings on September 1 will show a surplus of from forty-eight to fiftythree million pounds unless considerable export business should develop in the next 10 days. The spot markets throughout most of the week ruled fairly steady, but December futures on the Chicago market were decidedly easier towards the close.

About 3,000 boxes of Argentine, 324 casks of Danish held in bond in this country, and 375 tubs of domestic butter was scheduled for shipment to England this week. The American butter was a 325-tub sample of 90 score centralized and 50 tubs of fancy sweet cream butter.

Wisconsin Cheese Markets Steady to Firm

The week of August 18-23 brought little change in conditions at Wisconsin markets. At the meeting of the Wisconsin Cheese Exchanges on August 16 a decline of 34 cent occurred, and a certain stimulation of trade was expected to result, but trade during the week under review was never more than fair and often it was quiet. However, in spite of this condition the market maintained a steady to firm position. The explanation of this was not readily ascertainable, inasmuch as on practically all the distributing markets sales were reported of very small volume and the market tone was easy. The explanation is the expected fall demand from southern consuming sections has not materialized to any great extent, and it is believed that there yet remains some storing interest which is not fully satisfied. The fact that the Wisconsin dealers asked a full cent and a half over board prices, only shading this figure in some cases toward the close of the week to 14 cents, was an indication that a degree of confidence was more or less prevalent. The price advance which occurred on Saturday, August 23, was a further indication of strength although the extent to which distributing markets will support that level can not now be predicted.

Irregularity was rather prominent on the distributing markets. This was particularly noticeable at New York in comparison with the other Eastern markets. At New York conditions were very clearly weak. Prices were reduced daily in an effort to force sales but with little success. For the first time in many weeks supplies of good quality fresh State cheese were greater than the demand and prices were reduced 1⁄2¢ Other eastern markets, while not noticeably early in the week. active, were fairly steady in tone and reported a limited demand. The Chicago market, while plainly easy, was far from

being as weak as New York, and even under the slow demand, prices were fairly well maintained. All markets reported adequate supplies of both fresh and June cheese although the latter was generally held for a premium. Sentiment toward the close of the week was that while lower country prices might be desirable, it would be difficult to attain them."

Production in Wisconsin has continued to be large, especially considering the advanced stage of the season. With an abundance of rain throughout the State, a good production of September cheese is expected. The quality, however, seems to have suffered somewhat. The soft wet weather pasture has had considerable effect upon the current make. Under this condition there is a possibility that supplies of fancy quality goods may not be as burdensome as the volume of the make and the large storage surplus would indicate.

Grain

Better Weather Weakens Corn Market

A decline of about 10¢ per bushel in September corn prices was the outstanding feature of the grain market during the week ending August 23. Better weather throughout the Corn Belt was a weakening factor in the market and caused rather heavy selling in the future market, which had apparently advanced to a point beyond that warranted by the general market and crop conditions.

September corn at Chicago closed the week at $1.131⁄2 comDecember pared with $1.23 at the close of the previous week. corn closed at $1.055%.

Cash prices generally followed the decline in futures because of the limited demand. Since corn prices have reached their present high level buyers have taken only sufficient corn for their immediate needs, which has resulted in an accumulation of stocks in the terminal markets. These stocks at the close of the week totaled a little over five and one-half million bushels compared with about 2,000,000 bushels for the corresponding week last year.

Primary receipts fell off about a million bushels during the week but were still of good volume. The heaviest movement was to Chicago, St. Louis, and Omaha.

Southern and southwestern buying was less active as crop prospects are fairly good in that territory. Northern buyers, however, became more active at Kansas City and other southwestern markets where prices have been relatively lower than at Chicago.

at $1.2234 compared with the previous week's close of $1.33. December corn closed at $1.274.

Continued heavy receipts of wheat which have resulted in large accumulations at the markets, together with a falling off in the demand, particularly from local mills, were also weakening factors in the market. The visible supply at the close of the week totaled about sixty-five and three-quarter million bushels, which was unusually large for this time of the year and about 13,000 bushels larger than the large visible supply at the corresponding week last year. Stocks at Wichita and Kansas City were the largest on record while stocks in other terminal markets were also large.

Receipts of hard winter wheat have fallen off materially but the demand for the wheat was also of smaller volume, as the southwestern mills had their needs well supplied and northwestern mills had withdrawn from the hard winter wheat markets because of the increasing movement of new spring wheat. Elevator interests also became more cautious buyers of wheat in the southwestern markets.

Premiums were slightly weaker, at the close of the week 12% protein being offered at 26-36 over the September price with 13% protein around 6e over the September.

The export demand was broader but buying was principally through Chicago and eastern markets, there being only a limited demand for wheat for export via the Gulf, export sales for the week being estimated at about seven and one-quarter million bushels.

The movement of new spring wheat increased materially during the week and receipts showed an excellent quality. Threshing returns show a larger yield than had been expected and reports from trade sources indicate that the spring wheat crop will probably be as much as 50,000,000 bushels larger than the official estimate August 1. Premiums for spring wheat held fairly steady and No. 1 dark northern sold at 4-16 over the September price at Minneapolis. Mills were active buyers of new wheat fearing that later arrivals might show weather damage because of the rainy weather which prevailed in the spring Wheat Belt during the week.

Durum wheat receipts were fairly liberal and practically all new wheat. No. 1 amber durum was quoted at Minneapolis at around $1.27%-$1.281⁄2 August 22.

The soft winter wheat market was also weaker with the future market and current demand from southern and near-by mills was less urgent. This was caused in part by the filled up condition of elevators and other storage concerns. Orders for September and October shipment were larger, however, which indicated a desire on the part of the mills to keep their stocks of good volume.

15 days.

33

57

Further importations of Argentine corn were reported at Atlantic coast ports and total importations into the United States and Canada are now estimated at between 5,000,000 and 6,000,000 bushels. According to recent estimates possibly 95,000,000 bushels of corn are still available for export from Argentina, but only a small percentage of this is likely to come to the United States. Rigid quarantine restrictions against the importation of this corn into the United States are in effect and the Canadian Government issued regulatus effective August 1, which it is understood prohibits the portation of any grain into that country except from the nited States until such time as that Government shall be able to promulgate quarantine restrictions similar to those now in effect in the United States.

The corn market is still in an unsettled condition and will be greatly affected by weather changes during the next few weeks.

The wheat market was weaker in sympathy with corn and prices at the close of the week were about 10 below those prevailing a week ago, September wheat at Chicago closing

NEW OATS MOVING IN LARGER VOLUME

The oats market was weaker with corn and wheat and prices declined 76-8¢ during the week. The harvesting of oats was practically completed in the United States and the movement was very much larger than during the past few weeks. Primary receipts were nearly 10,000,000 bushels, which is the largest weekly movement since the week ending August 23, 1921. There was a fairly good demand for the arrivals at practically all the markets and receipts during the early part of the week were well absorbed. At the decline on Friday, however, sellers were reluctant to dispose of their grain and considerable grain at a number of the markets was carried over unsold. The rye future market declined with wheat but the cash market was fairly firm. The milling demand at Minneapolis was steady and shippers and elevators were active buyers. No. 1 and No. 2 rye sold at 14-26 over the Minneapolis September, which closed on Friday at 81e per bushel. Export sales of rye totaling 100,000 bushels were reported during the week but total exports for the crop year to date have been about 50% less than for the corresponding period last year.

The barley market did not follow the decline of other grains but made a 26-3é advance during the week. Several lots were reported sold for export and other buyers were active. While the movement was of fairly large volume a number of buyers who had been holding off came into the market and took the current receipts. Cash barley at Minneapolis sold at 706-80¢ per bushel.

Flax prices were practically nominal as receipts were light. One sale at Minneapolis on Friday was reported at 40 over the September price but No. 1 flax to arrive was offered at 5¢ over the September price. The cutting of the early sown flax is in progress in the northwest and shows good quality but the late sown flax is still subject to weather conditions. The future market was strong and September flax at Minneapolis advanced 61⁄2¢ during the week and closed on Friday at $2.351⁄44.