AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

TOMATOES FIRM UP. HEN EGGS NOW 2' PER DOZ. ONIONS ARE VERY CHEAP. The auction marts have again experienced a busy time this week, as vegetables end fruit continue in plentiful supply. Not tin manv tomatoes have come forward, as many growers declined trt market them v.V\V;- vilucs were so low. The reduced Bii])p!i- Iris met a good ilemund, and prices li.ive advanced. Burbiink plums, which had glutted the marker, recently, are now practically finished, and this has improved the sale of nther varieties. Peaches are coming lor*\urd freely, and the quality has improved. The same "remark applies to Bon Chretien pparc Fot these and for Paragon peaches there Is a good demand for bottling. A consignment of Australian oranges pame to hand during the. week, and were promptly disposed of at from 14/ to 20/ a case, leaving the market again dependent \ipon Calif ornian, which realise high prices. Bananas have been dear this week, hut a fresh shipment from Fiji, due by the Tofua on Monday, should ease the position. Latest quotations are as follows: — Pears: Bon Chretien, prime quality, 6/ to ? : small, 4/ to s■'. Blackberries: 5d to Td per punnet. Peaches: Choice, coloured, 8/ to If; others, 4/ to 4/6. Plums: Satsrnna, large 4/ to 6/. email 3/6; Doris, 4/ to 8/; Purple King, 6/ to 10/. Tomatoes: Special, round, smooth, 3/ to 4/6; No. 1. firm, 3/ to 3/6: ripe, 2/ to 2/6. Apples: ('hoice, coloured Gravensteins, 6/ to 9/; Kreen, 4/ to 5/; cookers, prime 4/ to 5/6, Mnall 2/6 to 3/. Nectarines: Large, choice, 0/ to 13/; inferior. 4/ to 7/. Lemons: Best fiuality, 14/ to 16/: others, 7/ to 10/. Oranges: Calif ornian Sunkist Navels, 40/ to 45/; Jaffa, repacked, 30/ to 35/. Grapes: Hothouse, prime. 1/ to 1/6; others, 9d to 10d. Bananas: Ripe A grade, 30/ to 35/: inferior. 15/ to 20/. Cape Gooseberries: .">fl to 8d per lb. Sweet corn: 2/6 to 3/5 per half bushel ease.

Vegetables. Growers with potatoes showing signs of rust or blight are rushing them to market and for these values are low. Best grades free of disease sell better, but prices generally are much lower than is usual at this time of year.

The supplies of peas and beans are keeping up well, and housewives can still secure these at reasonable rates. Onions are very plentiful, and excellent quality ie obtainable at 3/ to 4/ per sugar bag. Rhubarb only meets with a. moderate demand, and first class quality changes hands at 1/6 for a dozen bundles. Latest quotations are as follows:—Potatoes, Best grades, free blight, 4/ to 5/ bag; others, 1/6 to 3/; onions, 3/ to 4/ bag; kumaras, 2d to 2V4d lb; cabbage, 1/ to 4/ sack; swedes. 2/ to 2/6 bag; pumpkins, 4/ to 7/ cwt; green peas, 3/ to 5/6 bag; beans, 2/6 to 4/6; lettuce, 2/ to 6/ case; cucumbers, practically unsaleable; vegetable marrows, 1/6 to 3/ dozen; watermelons, Sd to 1/8 eacii; rock melons, 6d to 1/6 each; cabbage, on benches, 2/ to 3/ dozen; celery, 1/6 to 2/6 bundle; rhubarb, 1/6 dozen; spinach, 1/ dozen; pumpkins, on benches, 6d to 1/6 each; spring onions. 6d to 1/6 bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 6d to 9d dozen.

Eggs and Butter. Eggs have been in short supply this week, and with a keen demand persisting values have further advanced. Current ws? at * uctl <>i> *re: Hen eggs, full size. 1/10 to 2/ per dozen; intermediate, 1/8 to 1/9; pullets', 1/5 to 1/7; ducks', 1/8 to For farmers' butter there is a goo.l demand at 1/ and 1/4 per lb, with moderate supplies coming forward.