AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

BANANAS AND ORANGES DEAR

EGGS STILL SCARCE

CHEAP TURKEYS AXD GEESE.

Anticipating a keen demand for Easter supplies many producers held back for this week's sale, the net result being that in several instances values declined. This was the case in regard to apples and pears and also taWe poultry. In desert apples Cox's orange are becoming scarce, and the few offered elicit keen competition. A fair quantity of Delicious have been available this week, but only a few were of really choice quality. Sturmers are now on the market in limited quantities, and this fine keeper commands a ready tale.

Tomatoes have firmed in price this ! week, a remark which also applies to grapes. Cape gooseberries, on the other hand, have been more plentiful and prices eased. The market is short of oranges and bananas, and Thursday's sale found high rates ruling for both these lines. Latest quotations are: —■ Apples, Cox's orange, 8/ to 14/ per case, Delicious (choice) 7/ to B'. others 4/ to 6/, Sturmer B', Munro 4/ to 6/, Ballarat 6/ to 7/, second grades from 8/; pears, Louise Bonne 6/ to 9/, Keiffer 3/6 to 5/, Winter Xelis 7/ to 9/, other varieties 3/ to 4/6; tomatoes, Hutt 7/ to 8/6, local 3/ to 8/: grapes, hothouse 1/ to 1/4V2 per lb, Te Kauwhata 9/9 to 14/9 per case; cape gooseberies, 4 1 /2 dto per lb; figs, 2/6 to 4/: persimmons, 3/ to 4/6; lemons, fresh, 5/ to 7/6, cured 10/ to 15/; passions, 3/ to 5/6; bananas, up to 42/; oranges (American), 44/ to 47/. ONIONS 2/9 A BAG. Onions are still the cheapest line at the auction marts at 2/ to 2/9 per sugar bag for excellent quality. The deal is all in favour of the buyer. Speaking generally, the marts have been well stocked with Vegetables this week, and in several other classes besides onions values have been low. Latest quotations are: — Potatoes, local, 2/6 to 3/6 per sugar bag, Southern 7/6 to 8/ per cwt; kumaras, 2/ to 3/ per bag; swedes. 2/6 to 3/ per bag; pumpkins, best, 5/ to 6/ pe. cwt, inferior 3/ to 4/ per sack; marows, 1/- to 2/ per dozen; cucumbers, 2/6 to 3/6 per dozen: lettuce, best, 4/ to 6/ per case, others 1/6 to 2/; cabbages. 2/ to 4/ per sack; cauliflowers, best, 15/ to 17/ per sack, inferior 8/ to 11/. Off the bench, cabbages 1/ to 2/ per dozen; cauliflowers, 5/ to 10/ per dozen; citron> melons, 4/ per cwt; rhubarb, 1/6 to 2/6 per dozen bundles; leeks. 6d per bundle; celery. 2/ to 2/9 per bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 4d to lOd per dozen lots. Laying Pullets Wanted. At Thursday's poultry sale there was an over-supply of table birds, and prices eased in consequence for some lines. Pullets about to lay were keenly competed for. Latest quotations are:—Prime cockerels, heavy breeds, 6/ to 7/3 each, light breeds, 4/ to 4/6; fat roosters, heavy. 2/9 to 3/6, light 2/ to 2/9; fat hens. heavy, 3/ to 3/9; light, 2/ to 3/; young drakes, prime, 3/6 to 4/3; smaller, 1/6 up; young ducks, 4/6 to 5/, old ducks 3/ to 4/; old drakes, fat, 2/6 to 3/; gobblers, prime, 12/ to 14/; smaller, 9/ up; turkev hens, 7/ to 8/6; geese, 4/ to 6/; pullets, about to lay, W.L. 7/ to 9/3, 8.0. 6/ to 7/3; smaller pullets, 2/6 up. Eggs and Butter. Eggs are still in short supply at the marts and the demand is keen. Latest quotations are:—Hen eggs, 3/5 to per dozen; ducks', 3/2 to 3/3; preserved, 2/4 to 2/6; chilled, 2/4 to 2/6. Farmers' butter, in pound pats, has been selling at 1/ to 1/2% per lb.