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Newspaper
Chicago Packer
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jun 12, 1909
Page
1
Unseasonable weather and higher vegetable arrivals depress demand across many lines in Chicago markets. Strawberries stay firmer on limited fancy quality, while Indiana and Missouri berries fetch $2 to $2.50. Asparagus, lettuce, cucumbers, and peppers show liberal or fluctuating supplies with only selective demand for fancy stock.
A telegram from Chicago describes a fruit and vegetable shipment scheme tied to a con man known as Hackett. The caller, posing as a buyer, warns of a $75 if money is sent and notes the man’s familiarity with New Orleans and Cincinnati scams. The dialogue hints at a long-distance rig with a lounge contact in St Louis and a pattern of seeking upfront payments.
The brisk week long pineapple shipments from Cuba through Knighta Key and Havana to Chicago set new market records. Florida stock faced discriminatory freight rates and slower service, while Cuban fruit moved via fast trains with lower charges. Ohio river markets were oversupplied yet show potential improvement as Cuban supply lightens. most Florida prices ranged 1.75 to 1.80 dollars, Cuban stock 1.35 to 1.75.
The Packer reports a slow start to potato shipments from the Arkansas-Oklahoma district this week with a stronger movement forecast for next week if weather holds. Estimates from Shawnee Inols Webbers Falls Vian Ft Smith Edmond Ft Gibson show varied crops damaged by drought bugs and timing of shipping from June 10 to July 1, with totals ranging from 15 to about 500 cars across stations and dates.
The American bottoms near East St Louis to Alton II illinois show a strong potato outlook. Nameoki and Edwardsville are top shipping points with projections of about 660 cars from Nameoki and around 60 from Wanda Edwardsville Crossing. Shipments begin late June to early July with most stock heading to Chicago via the Wabash and Chicago and Alton lines.
Kansas City June 11 Union Pacific has compiled a list showing 11 9090 acres in potatoes along Kaw valley north of the river with towns including Lawrence Midland Six Corners Edwardsville Fall Leaf Bonner Springs Loring Linwood Lenape Newman Muncie Perry Williamstown Grantville and more. Santa Fe on the south side handles other centers. Estimated yield at 125 bushels per acre would reach about 1 376 000 bushels.
Louisville Kentucky June 10 The potato movement will be limited around July 1 with mature stock expected July 3 to 6. Fields are in good condition and yield may be fair. Recent rains improved prospects after a poor start. Some believe acreage is short versus 1908 due to tobacco growers shifting to leaf. Second crop seed potatoes holdings noted.
In Cincinnati this week Florida tomatoes remained scarce and irregular in pack while Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana boosted shipments. East coast arrivals showed uneven quality, with many green-wrapped crates diverted to northern markets. Early week prices ranged 1.60 to 1.75 per crate, slipping to 1.35 to 1.60 as supplies rose. Alabama Mississippi and Woolworth varieties sold from 1.15 to 1.40.
The report notes acreage is largely unchanged from two years ago, with scattered growth across the county except near loading stations. Estimates suggest similar acreage to two years past, while Irish Cobblers dominate this year’s crop and more of this variety is expected to be shipped than ever before.
The Newtown area expects a record potato crop with 1000 acres and over half under Miami Valley Farmers Assn. management. Digging could start June 26 and peak by July, with first car loaded by July 1 and heavy shipping through the season. Contacts: C Burt Chapman, Madisonville or Newtown to arrange packing in 150 pound bags.
Shawnee Oklahoma June 10 The Santa Fe road issued figures showing 1226 acres of potatoes listed with an estimated 5 percent not listed, totaling about 1287 acres. Growers report individual crops ranging from 5 to 60 acres, with over 100 growers named in The Packer Weekly Bulletin of June 9.
Report from Wilder Kay Lune 7, 1008 notes potato crop bugs causing about 20 percent damage. About three fourths of growers affected. due to bugs yield may be below ordinary. Digging to start July 1 from the locks. 1,000 acres at Wider. need outside help. L G Frisble comments.
Inwood Tennessee June 8 1909 report to The Packer notes improved potato crop conditions with frost damage healed. Red Triumphs dominate yet about 100 acres of round white potatoes, mainly Trish Cobbler, will be packed in barrels. No significant carload loading before June 21. desires contact with dealers for market supplies.
In Versailles Kentucky on June 8 1909 growers report a 200 percent rise in local potato acreage and foresee 25 to 50 cars moving out July 26. McKee Bros of Kansas City plans expansion with 100 acres of Irish Cobblers and 20 acres of Early Ohios and seeks reliable dealers to handle the crop. The Packer bulletin lists Kaw Valley growers. post office gaps exist for Six Corners Roland Midland and Fall Leaf stations in Kansas.
Hupreas Competition Emporia Kansas June 10 W H Ray agent of Wells Fargo express active taking orders from retail merchants for berries and supplying products in competition with local wholesale fruit trade. Mr and Mrs Winkenalger New York June 11 Mr and Mrs Henry Vinkemulder Grand Rapid Michigan spending a few days in York this week
Chicago dispatch reports a move to pardon Joe Mulhall linked to the Nicolett Creamery Co. deal. Mulhall would face Baltimore indictment if freed, tied to Hagerstown operations. He claims to seek reform while his associates, including McConkey and John Sigmund, are referenced. McConkey’s conviction is before the circuit court of appeals with no decision yet expected for months.
After two weeks in Wichita Kans J D Carter vanished leaving buyers from Oklahoma and Texas with 2000 to 3000 dollars in shipments of chickens eggs and butter unpaid Colston and Burch of Marietta Okla say Carter posed as a reliable dealer and mailed checks that bounced Shippers estimate losses and warn that he lacked any verifiable business record while banks offer little reassurance, noting bank references are common but not indicative of character.
Creditors of P. M. Olfson in Waupaca Wisconsin moved to appoint a receiver and place the potato shipping business into bankruptcy. News circulated midweek that Olfson would soon be officially declared bankrupt and placed under receiver management.
Chicago reports eggs unmoved this week with steady or slightly weaker firsts. Trade outside state remains strong and some dealers see better business. country eggs arriving here raise hopes for closer grading. Storage stock offered at 21 to 21 1/4 cents with receipts around 17,000 to 13,800 cases. candlers strike ends after wage concession through October.
Receipts of new potatoes were light this week and the market held firm. Heavy rains in southern districts hindered digging causing a temporary shortage. Triumphs bring $2.25 per 90 pound bag and about $4 to $4.25 per barrel. White stock sells at $3.60 to $3.65 per barrel or $1.65 per bag. Old potato receipts were very light with track prices ranging from 60 to 75 cents per bushel.
Berry arrivals remained light and quality weak as Tennessee and eastern berries moved in slowly. Prices ranged from $1 to $2.50 per crate with top grades reaching about $2.60. Through Wednesday 42 cars shipped from the Chattanooga district, well below last year’s pace of 425 cars and shy of 190 by about half a car.
Receipts of southern cucumbers and abundant homegrown stock push prices down over the week in Cincinnati. Nearby hotbed cakes harvest peaks with much supply shipped to other markets. Native cucumbers sell about 20 cents per dozen. southern stock moves slowly at 48 to 1500 per barrel. Texas cakes scarce and trading slowly at one dollar per crate.
W H Stewart of Stewart Fruit Co Los Angeles announces Pacific Vegetable Co a new independent venture to ship California vegetables including celery cabbage cauliflower tomatoes and onions. The firm aims for strong grading packing and spot cash orders with officers including A W Phelps B P Hoar T W Phelps and Russ Avery and plans expansion after favorable market conditions.
Kansas City reports a notable drop in egg movement with shippers struggling to assemble carlot orders without stock depletion. Local trade is quiet with limited small lots, storage handling costs around 6 dollars per case, and prices ranging 5.50 to 5.60 per case. Southern stock moves mainly on a loss-off basis as quotations ease.
Meloow at Elgin Texas reports 600 to 800 acres of watermelons chiefly Alabama Sweet. Expect 250 to 300 cars, with first shipments around June 19 to 21 and peak activity by July 1. R L Carter notes Elgin melons top quality and favorable conditions for a strong crop. In Jacksonville, Texas, June 10, A B Bhoemaker says potato movement is nearly finished and tomato shipments run about one car daily, with stronger next week and good weather for shipping.
Analysts warn of a looming price crash as exports shrink and crop yields rise. In Chicago notes, turkeys and fowls fluctuated with demand, while heavier stock and large 144 pounders sold slower. Observers cite high butter and egg prices and potential storage pressures shaping a steadier, longer trend.
Chicago butter market shows firm tone despite heavy receipts as prices rise on first grades and extras. Dealers face renewed questions about future costs as June production narrows to two weeks and critics push to end premiums on quotations.
Chicago reports from southwestern points show freer stock movement and a sag in new potato prices. Old potatoes fell about a nickel early in the week with most stock selling 70 to 80 cents, while new potatoes move at 1.30 to 1.35. By Friday old stock remained demoralized with irregular prices 60 to 66 cents for the best, and new stock unchanged. A portion of arriving stock sells at a 10 percent discount.
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