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Newspaper
Chicago Packer
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Apr 18, 1908
Page
1
In Castleberry Alabama, strawberry acreage has fallen from 1300 to about 300 acres due to labor shortages and poor rail service. Growers like E. C. Lee are expanding to 66 new acres of Klondyke plants, shipping mainly to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Columbus. The sector diversifies into trucking crops like tomatoes, beans, peppers, radishes, peas, and cantaloupes as units trim losses and await prices.
In Evergreen Alabama growers report a sharp decline in strawberry farming with only 25 to 30 acres remaining after a 75 percent cut and several poor seasons. Many blame sustained low profits. some say now may be a good time to revive the business, with potential for larger plantings next year and beyond.
Mobile reports five weeks without rain hurt cabbage while potatoes held firm. Last Saturday night rain revived crops and exports, with cabbage losses from seeding, but yield prospects for potatoes strong. Cars shipped from Brincat Co and Theodore Smith’s Co-op Union to St Louis and northern markets. United Produce Co. forms local dealer alliance. Prices and trade expected to rise. North demand boosts Mobile figures. Also brief note from Yuma about first cantaloupes and expected melon date.
Chicago reports a spring egg market with Easter demand lifting early prices for eggs and current receipts. Receipts varied daily, with storage packs offered at fractional cents and mixed bids, while some egg men anticipate heavier future shipments to interior towns and others expect flush conditions to ease but not collapse.
Reports from Chicago in April show butter sentiment turning bearish as receipts stay normal for the season and demand for fresh creamery stock remains good. Dealers foresee further price declines early in the season due to a surplus of undergrade stock and only a small fraction of extras truly qualifying as high grade. A big dealer reportedly contracted for extra exports for June, but market officials were uncertain about confirmation.
Kansas City reports a heavy North Western potato overstock limiting prices while Minnesota and Wisconsin supplies ease demand. Eastern buyers show better activity as western stock remains plentiful. Cabbage and onion markets vary with weather. Texas stock curtailed by rain but rebounded, Red Globes and Crystal Wax onions show firm or rising values in the week.
The Chicago market sees a limited supply of head lettuce this week boosting prices. Fancy stock topped at 12 a barrel while fairly good stock traded near 8, most offerings were inferior at 2 650 to 5. The last full Florida head lettuce car, packed by Patera Bros., sold quickly at about 6.50 in hampers.
A car of Crystal Wax Texas onions, praised for superior quality and uniform sizing, arrived early in the week for Peycke Bros Co. at Kansas City. The privately sourced, independently grown lot sold around 1.90 per crate, a premium over typical stock. trade noted the careful grading and supervision. Cabbage shipments from Florida, Texas, and nearby states also moved, with crates priced at 1.60 to 1.75.
Kansas City April 18 Weather kept strawberry demand light as supplies from Texas and Arkansas were thin and poor in quality. Rail delays across rivers and roadbed damage reduced shipments. Arkansas fruit arrived in small volumes, priced 175 to 325 cents per crate. Texas fancy stock 326 to 375 cents, Dickinson District dark red favored over Tyler pale berries. Next week expected uptick in Arkansas shipments.
Prospect in good on high ground at Tleveland Tenn. Cleveland Tenn April 14 1908 To Tie Packer From the present prospects there will be full peach croppers on the high ground and less in the low places We expect 8 per cent of an apple trap The total peach acreage is about 600 acres which will yield 100 cars of fruit to be shipped July 20 to August 10 I personally have 3000 peach trees and 4000 apple trees The peaches are in full bearing Active shippers include P H Walker Smith Lee Basemore Perry Fieleh ar Harrison Eugene Johnston Brown Bros James Taylor James McAmy Dr T J McAmy and Frank Johnston There are no large strawberry shippers here Possibly 2 or 3 cars will be shipped Join G McReynolds.
Noble & Salter announce 15 000 boxes of Palermo lemons arriving in New Orleans and to be auctioned on April 21. The firm, a major fruit and produce broker, expects good demand and stable prices, with offices in New Orleans at 201 215 Gravier and an New York presence.
Florida orange packers shippers and growers weigh changing from the usual Florida packaging to California style boxes. Most dealers oppose the shift citing slower adaptation and sizing concerns, while some point to rail freight rate disputes tied to box size. The trade favors lower freight rates despite the packaging question.
The hearing on Emerson, Marlow & Co. affairs before Referee Wean, postponed from Friday, is now set for May 5. Several key witnesses will testify, and important developments are anticipated regarding the firm’s collapse last fall. Dante and Berries at Mansfield report fruit crop prospects and cantaloupe planting plans by the Henry County Truck Growers' Assn. with about 115 acres under cultivation.
Chicago April 17 prices for live poultry eased after weeks of high costs. About 14 carloads arrived Tuesday, six were unloaded, the rest held or shipped East. Dealers faced weak demand and had to close out at about a cent less than the previous day. Wednesday and Thursday saw unsettled or easy tones with limited speculative demand and local trading mostly for immediate needs. Ice cold and dressed poultry prices also reflected softening action, while frozen quotations remained steady. Cincinnati reports light strawberry arrivals with good quality moving at fair prices, and nearby regions expect larger crops. Refrigerator quarts from Florida and Mississippi sold at 20 to 26 cents. Alabama crates brought 2.50 to 4.25 dollars.
In Chicago this week the apple market is slow with dull activity. Only top grades show fair demand while most stock moves slowly. Trade terms and prices remain steady, mirroring a cautious market following recent reports.
Sacul Texas April 14 1908 To The Packer We have 105 acres of tomatoes 20 acres each of cabbage potatoes and canta roupes 10 acres watermelons and an awful rain April 1 Think tomatoes damaged one third other crops damaged only by washing of the soil H T Fuller secretary Sacy Fruit Truck Growers Assn
Reports from shipping sections in Ohio Indiana and Kentucky indicate heavy egg production especially in the northern part of the district. Heavy packers shift to storage stock while traders wait to see next week’s market. Prices run around 16c delivered seaboard with better figures for choice marks. Kentucky poultry output grows heavier and Tennessee movement remains large. Springers arrive more on large consuming markets in the Ohio valley with birds over one pound selling around 30 to 36c and hens about 12 1/2c, with ducks noted as well.
Chicago April 16 The early week rumor that the onion set market had collapsed was contradicted by findings that some dealers who stocked up early failed to care for sets. Shrinkage and sprouting rose in recent days and off grade sets dragged prices down, while choice grades remained steady. Expectation of further declines as weather hinders trading. Markets quoted $1.65 to $2 on yellow sets, $2.25 to $2.40 on reds, about $2.60 on whites.
Rain delays and thrip damage threaten onion output in Texas as shipments move to fancy grades. Rain again midweek hampers shipping districts, while demand stays active and fob prices rise slightly. Southern Texan Truck Growers Association controls most of the crop amid other shippers.
Chicago reports strawberries from Louisiana easing while Mississippi arrivals rise 2 percent by freight. Prices varied with quality and weather, peaking on warm days then slipping after a cold spell. Pint cage stock from Louisiana and Mississippi declines as quart cases arrive more freely, with quotes from 1.50 to 2.25 and 2.50 to 1.70 respectively. Cars of freight and express stock moved, with some sales at lower figures due to quality.
Early in the week rumors of a strike by Chicago teamsters circulated but no strike occurred. Negotiations between the Chicago Owners' Association and drivers broke off over wage scales with drivers asking 1.50 weekly increases and the association offering 1.00. The trade hopes no strike occurs as many houses rely on teaming firms and the Chicago Federation of Labor opposes action while joblessness already exists.
An Interstate Commerce Commission hearing opens Tuesday at 10:30 in Chicago on loading and unloading of package freight. Local dealers, backed by a street committee, seek to overturn the January 1 ban and restore free handling costs, arguing delivery definitions and rail carrier duties. Attorneys Butler and Brady lead the street’s case as railroads prepare counterarguments.
Potatoes were firmer during the week with all grades rising to higher price ranges. New stock arriving in email lots is selling well. Old stock brings 7 percent to 80 cents per bushel with a shade higher for extra fine stock. New stock from Florida and Alabama sold during the week at 7 dollars per barrel.
Crystal Springs Mississippi April 17 A.7 Wolf reports truck farms in fine condition with prospects for a large yield and high quality. Cabbage will begin moving next week. Tomatoes are fruiting and the crop shows vigor.
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