New York and Michigan Concord grapes in 12-qt. climax baskets declined 10¢ to 25¢ in New York and Boston, ranging 75¢ to $1.10, and closed lower in Chicago at $1 to $1.25. Niagaras were weak in New York at 75¢ to 85¢. New York cauliflower was slow and dull in Philadelphia at $1.75 per crate, and ranged $2 to $2.25 in other markets. Michigan Golden Heart celery in highball crates was slow and steady in Chicago and St. Louis at $1 to $1.25 and ranged $1.75 to $2 in Pittsburgh. Massachusetts cranberries were steady in Boston at $5 to $6 per 1⁄2-barrel crate, and at $6.25 to $6.50 in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. New York Bartlett pears ranged $3.25 to $3.50 per bushel basket in leading markets.
Northern Maine Has Large Potato Crop.
The potato crop in Aroostook Co., Me., promises to be the largest ever produced in northern Maine. Early plantings were damaged somewhat by dry weather, but the later plantings have developed fully, and the stock has become overgrown in many cases. The yield of Irish Cobblers will average 120 to 150 bbls. to the acre, with some yields as high as 200 bbls.
With a probable demand from a wide territory there is much local confidence in the outcome of the marketing season, especially after the first of the year. During the rise in the market the first week of September large quantities of potatoes were sold on a basis of $3 per bbl. to the grower, but many of these shipments were marketed at a loss. Large quantities of potatoes are being stored because of the generally low price level. Much of the stock that is being sold is that for which storage space can not be obtained or which must be sold for financial reasons. The growers generally feel that they should have $1.75 per 100 lbs. bulk.
The first heavy frost of the season came Sept. 21, and digging of all varieties will be pushed from now on. Shipments will continue moderately heavy and would undoubtedly become very heavy with stronger market conditions.
Top price of the season in New York was $1,150 per car. The general range in June in New York was $450 to $900 and in July $250 to $550. No sales of medium sizes were reported in Philadelphia above $900 and prevailing ranges during June were $400 to $700, but declines to a range of $250 to $500 occurred in July. Sales in Boston ranged nearly as high as in New York, allowing 1,000 melons per carload. Early quotations in Boston ranged 60¢ to $1.10 per melon, but price declined in July to a range of 30 to 65¢. Pittsburgh carlot sales ranged $500 to $1,025 in May and June and $250 to $500 in July. Chicago market quoted a top of $1,100 the last of May, but prevailing early ranges were $500 to $800 and July sales $200 to $600.
Correction.
In the table “Carlot shipments of cantaloupes” on page 217 of the The Market Reporter for Oct. 1. the last column should be headed “To Sept. 17, 1920,” and the next to last column headed “To Sept. 17, 1921.”