Fruits and Vegetables

Carrot Season Active

A striking feature of fruit and vegatable markets during the third week of November was the sudden advance of $5-$10 per ton in cabbage prices. Apples, potatoes, and onions also closed with a generally firm tone. Southern vegetables and northern root crops, however, declined somewhat under the increasing receipts. Combined shipments of 15 leading products decreased to 16,400 cars. Gains in the output of citrus fruits and lettuce were more than offset by the much lighter movement of apples, grapes, cabbage, onions, and potatoes. Carrots. Shipments of carrots from western New York have been heavier than last season and city wholesale prices lower. Early movement from that State was very active, the total for August, September, and October being nearly 500 cars, or 50% more than during the same period a year ago. Preliminary estimates show about 2,000 acres of New York carrots, mostly on mucklands around Lake Ontario. Wayne County is the most important shipping section. The total carrot crop in New York State is forecast at 856,000 bushels, an increase of 150,000 over the 1923 production. Although the average yield is little more than 10 tons to the acre, heavy applications of commercial fertilizer in the muckland region sometimes produce from 20 to 40 tons per acre. The main crop is harvested during October and November, and usually held in local dealers' cellars until moved to cold storage or shipped to market. A considerable portion is placed in cold storage for late-winter or spring delivery. Some of this stock sold last March to New York City jobbers at $4 per 100-pound sack, compared with opening price of $1.50 in November, 1923. Recent jobbing prices have been around $1 a sack, and New Jersey carrots, in bushel baskets, have been bringing 75¢-$1 on the New York market. Chicago dealers were getting 90-$1 per bushel basket for western New York stock.

Most of Chicago's carrot supply during the winter and spring comes from Texas, Louisiana, and other Southern States, near-by stock appearing chiefly in the autumn months. Total of 150 carloads was reported in Chicago during 1923, whereas New York City received almost 1,500 cars of carrots, twothirds of them from up-State. New York City arrivals in the first six months of 1924 had already reached 1,120 carloads. Carriers reported total shipments of 2,142 cars during 1923, originating in 23 States. New York furnished 70% of the year's supply, Mississippi 142 cars, and Texas, South Carolina, and Illinois about 75 each.

Potatoes.-After a brief lull, Iadho's potato shipments increased sharply to 455 cars last week, and the f. o. b. price of sacked Rurals dropped 15¢ per 100 pounds to the former level of 65, with Russets for California shipment bringing $1.05. Other f. o. b. markets showed slight variations, but, at the close, bulk Green Mountains were 50-556 in Maine; sacked round whites 85¢-90 in western New York, and Red River Ohios 85e in the Moorhead section. Northern round whites sold around 70 at shipping points and $1-$1.10 on the Chicago carlot market. Eastern consuming centers reported a stronger tone as arrivals decreased, $1-$1.25 covering most sales to jobbers. Long Island Green Mountains advanced in New York City to a range of $1.65-$1.80, the same variety from Maine bringing $1.25-$1.40. Colorado_potatoes, and Idaho Rurals were quoted at $1.65-$1.80 in Texas markets. Combined shipments for the week decreased 150 cars to a total of 4,855. Wisconsin and Minnesota increased their output, but movement from other important States fell off. Apples. Prices of apples were steady to firm. Staymans advanced to $5.50-$6 per barrel and York Imperials to $4.50-$5.50. A few sales of Baldwins were reported around $5-$5.50, with the Minneapolis market high as $7.50. Chicago quoted carlot sales of 3-inch Twenty Ounce from New York State at $6.50-$7, and Rhode Island Greenings reached $7 in New York City. Midwestern Jonathans weakened to a range of $7.50-$8 on the Chicago market, but Ben Davis tended upward at $3.75-$5.50. At shipping points in western New York, Rhode Island Greenings brought $6 a barrel. Trading in northwestern apples appeared to be limited. Extra Fancy Jonathans held firm in Chicago at $3-$3.25 per box. Spitzenburgs were in demand in most cities at $2.75-$3.25 for Fancy or Extra Fancy. The range for Delicious continued around $4-$4.50 in the West. F. o. b. prices were steady at Pacific Northwest points: $2.25-$2.35 per box for Extra Fancy

Eastern

Winesaps, $1.75-$2 for Staymans, and $2 for Romes and Newtowns. Movement from Western States was 300 cars lighter than the week before, totaling 2,026. Eastern States furnished only 1,775 cars, against 2,715 the previous week. New York's shipments decreased 300 cars and Virginia's 200.

Cabbage. Five cars of new-crop cabbage came from Texas during the week. Plantings in that State are reported considerably larger than last season. Late stock shipments decreased 550 cars, New York and Wisconsin representing praetically all of the loss. Cabbage prices soared. New York Danish type opened at $15 a ton and closed at $20-$25 in New York City. Advances of $5-$10 occurred in other cities. In the Middle West, northern Danish type sold higher at a range of $14-$22. Prices at shipping points also advanced, Wiseonsin dealers getting $15-$18 and western New York shippers $14-$15 a ton.

Onions. Reports received from growers of Bermuda onions indicate that 1,260 acres will be planted this season in California, compared with 1,540 acres harvested last spring, and that 10,980 acres will be planted in Texas as against 10,260 harvested last spring, the total plantings for the two States being increased by 440 acres. No information is at present available for Louisiana. Except in New York City, maincrop onion prices tended upward. Eastern yellow varieties brought $1.50-$2.25 sacked per 100 pounds, and midwestern yellows mostly $1.50-$2, with top of $2.15 in Baltimore. In Chicago yellow onions from Washington and Colorado brought $2-$2.25, while California and Oregon stock ranged $2.50$3.25. Utah Spanish type was quoted at $2 and cretes of imported Spanish Valencias sold unchanged around $1.75-$2. At western New York shipping points best yellow varieties advanced to $1.70-$1. 85 per 100-pound sack. The Connecticut Valley price was $2, and west Michigan stock ranged $1.50-$1. 70 f. o. b. The week's shipments dropped from 750 cars to less than 600.

MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES

Some ordinary stock appeared among offerings of green beans, and prices tended lower. Florida seven-eighths bushel hampers sold around $3.50 $4, South Carolina bushels at $2.50-$3.50 and Louisiana seven-eighths $4-$4.50. New York and Long Island cauliflower sold from $1.25 to $3 per crate, and California stock ranged $1-$1.75. New York Golden Selfblanching celery advanced to $2.25-$3.25 per two-thirds crate in the East, dropping 50 in Chicago. Michigan Golden Heart brought $2.25-$2.75 in that city and as high as $1.75 elsewhere. General range for California stock was $4.50-$5. 50. Cranberry prices were about steady. Massachusetts and New Jersey Early Blacks brought mostly $4.50-$5.50 per halfbarrel box and Howes $5-$6.50. Florida cucumbers advanced to $6-$6.50 per seven-eighths bushel hamper and eggplant ranged $4-$5.50 per crate. Iceberg-type lettuce from California strengthened in New York City to a range of $2.50$3.50, but in most other markets sold lower around $2.50-$4.

Kansas City..

barrels)

83 39 62 1,673 1, 629 12 11 15 456 6131 16 14 16 273 241 29 32. 21 718 866 11 17 61 262 270 481 54 54 860, 1, 113 7 2 98 168 5 4 0 84

$4.00-4.25

4. 25-4.50 52.35 102 52.00-2. 15

5. 00 3.75-4.00 4.75-5.00 5.00

4. 00-4. 10 4.25-4.50 $2.00

$ 2.00-2. 15

4. 50-4.75 4.75-5.00 $1.75

1 U. S. No. 1 and partly graded.

2 Storage stock.

Idaho Potato Movement Active

After a month of very light haulings the Idaho late potato deal began to show renewed activity the second week in November. The crop was practically harvested by the middle of October. As soon as the potatoes were in the cellars, farmers devoted their time to fall plowing, harvesting of beets, and various other things about the farm in preparation for winter. The weather was generally favorable and perhaps the dull season was of longer duration than usual. Nearly all of October, with the exception of a short period just as digging was completed, growers were inclined to keep their potatoes off the market.

According to advices from the Federal market news representative at Idaho Falls, demand was not brisk, but generally there were not enough cars loaded to meet it. The crop began to move after the November estimate showed a sharp increase in total production for the United States. Freezing weather also kept farmers from other field work, and attention was given to potato hauling. There seemed to be a local feeling that the potato crop was estimated too high and many were inclined to wait until the November figures before marketing any of their crop. When this hope was dispelled, the carlot movement began. Daily output, which had been running below 50 cars, increased to around 100 cars and on some days exceeded that number.

With the increased shipments came an improved demand. Lightly supplied markets in Texas and surrounding States furnished an outlet for Idaho Rurals. Carlot price of this variety for eastern shipment advanced from 55¢ per 100 pounds to 756. On November 18, however, demand for Rurals slackened and prices declined 106-156.

Chicago and other eastern markets showed considerable strength on Idaho Russets and movement to the East was greatly increased. The prevailing carlot price on November 18 was $1.10 per 100 pounds, an advance of 5-10 since the latter part of October.

One of the leading features of the deal was the unprecedented demand for Idaho stock in Montana during October. Because of the short crop in that State, there was heavy buying for winter use. Regulations for shipment into Montana are similar to those of California, except that new bags are necessary, as well as other precautions, to meet quarantine requirements against the weevil. This means that potatoes must be resacked in the warehouses before loading. Stock packed for Montana shipment brings 106-15é more than eastern pack. From July 15, 1923, to April 15, 1924, only 20 cars of Idaho potatoes were shipped to Montana points. This season to mid-November about 225 cars had been billed to that State.

Although Idaho has a somewhat smaller crop than in 1923, there were about as many cars left to ship on November 18

as were moved after that date last year. Shipments during the first part of this season have been much lighter. On the basis of the percentage moved in 1923, the number left to be shipped from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California, the four western States which usually supply the Pacific coast cities, was about 1,200 cars less than moved after November 18 last year.

Celery in Western New York

Movement of western New York celery to storage was almost over by the first week in November. Some field stock of quality which would not quite meet storage requirements was still being shipped, the Federal market news representative at Rochester advises. A considerable portion of the storage stock is reported to be out of growers' hands, having sold at prices ranging from $1.40 to $1.60 per two-thirds crate. Acreage was larger this season than in 1923, but much seeding appeared in the early crop. Quality of the late crop was generally good, however, and while some fields produced 400 crates per acre, the average probably will be around 350 crates.

Carlot shipping-point price on the early variety ranged $1.25$1.35 per two-thirds erate for the best stock, touching $1.40 at times, with some poor stock selling around $1. The late crop, which comprises about 80% of the movement, is the Golden Self-Blanching variety. This stock opened around $1.50 per two-thirds crate on wire orders, dropped to $1.40 occasionally and at times went as high as $1.60, until the latter part of October, when active western demand caused the market to show considerable strength. Best stock advanced to $1.85 from the field and $2.25 from storage, while fair quality not suitable for storage moved at $1.65-$1.75. The New York City market advanced $1 per crate on good stock and a much stronger feeling However, heavy receipts of poor was apparent in St. Louis. quality celery from the field caused a decline in prices at New York City the second week of November, but most other large cities reported a firm to strong market for good stock.

New York celery arrivals in Minneapolis and St. Paul indicate an outlet which was not available last season. There has been a heavy movement to the Middle West also, expecially to Kansas City and St. Louis, probably as a result of shortage and frost damage in Michigan. During the week November 9-15, Michigan shipped 25 cars against 70 during the corresponding week last year. Shipments from Michigan to November 15 were 1,018 cars this season and 1,293 last year. New York shipped 276 cars during the week November 9-15, compared with 317 last year, and 2,209 cars this season to November 15 against 2,087 last year to the same date. New York's total shipments last season were 3,618 cars, which was 21% of the total for the United States. Michigan moved 1,406 cars. Car-lot shipments from the principal producing sections by months during the calendar year 1923 are as follows:

California is New York's principal competitor. Drought in California is said to have affected the yield, but acreage is larger than last year, and an average crop is indicated by present conditions. California shipments begin to move in volume from the northern part of the State around November 1 and continue during the entire period of New York's movement, which usually ends the latter part of January. While output from southern California is smaller than in the north, shipments are fairly heavy in December and January. California shipped 248 cars the week November 9-15 this season, compared with 267 the same week last season. Total from California last season was 4,578 cars.

Florida, with a large acreage reported for this season, will not start shipping until about January, when New York stock is cleaning up. Florida is the heaviest shipping State in the country, moving 6,398 cars last season from a total for the United States of 16,872.

On an average, celery probably is the most profitable crop produced in western New York. The muck lands are well

adapted to growing it, and operators have not had to face the problem of national overproduction, as with potatoes and many other fruits and vegetables. Consumption could be increased by advertising. Celery is now regarded very much as a luxury, when in reality the cost is comparatively low, and its food value is unquestionable.

Wayne County is the heaviest shipping county in New York, forwarding 2,459 cars from the 1923 crop. Monroe followed with 407, Livingston 197, Oswego 203, Ontario 155, Onondaga 90, Steuben 188, and a few scattering shipments from other counties.

Distribution of the 1923 New York celery crop was as follows:

Idaho Apples Nearly Shipped

Although it was estimated in October that the Idaho apple crop would fill only 800-1,201 cars this season, 1,235 cars had been moved to November 7, and daily shipments averaged around 20 cars. To the same date last season the total was around 2,700 cars, with the entire output last year 6,935 cars. However, the bulk of the 1924 crop had been moved by November 6, according to the Spokane rpercsentative of the Federal market news service. Local factors estimated that only 200-250 ears remained in storage throughout the State. If these figures are correct, total shipments will be about 1,500 cars, or 22W of las tseason's movement. This is one of the shortest crops Idaho has had for years.

The State was hard hit by spring frosts, and the crop was further reduced by the dry, hot growing season and shortage of irrigation water. Because of the light, scattering crop, spraying was neglected in some orchards, and worm injury is more extensive than last season. Much of the stock moved has not been up to the standard of last year.

In normal years Idaho's crop is estimated about 40W Jonathans, but this year Romes and Winesaps make up the bulk, Romes leading. Keeping quality does not promise well. Shippers are of the opinion that maturity of most varieties is about 60 days advanced over normal seasons. Some Romes that have been in common storage for only a short time show considerable decay, and, because of this, are being rushed to market. In certain sections size of the fruit is smaller than usual, because orchards lacked water. More apples are affected by scale this season than last as a result of neglect in spraying. For some reason this also was an off year as to color, although apples from Idaho usually show a high color.

With the combined advantage of a short crop in the Northwest and the freight rate from Idaho lower than from other northwestern States, shippers were expecting better prices than had been received. During the heavy shipping period in Idaho Colorado supplied many of Idaho's usual market outlets, keeping prices rather low. As in other districts, numerous shippers found themselves oversold, and the season has not been very satisfactory as a whole.

Most of the crop moved in bushel baskets and in bulk, only a small quantity being packed in boxes. Romes have ranged $1.25-$1.35 f. o. b. for bushel baskets, while Winesaps have sold mostly at $1.10. A few important shippers held most of the remaining stock early in November.