AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 4, 6 January 1931, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

MORE LOCAL PEACHES.

STRAWBERRIES NOW PLENTIFUL.

BANANAS SHORT.

Supplies of strawberries and loganberries are now about as large as they will be this season, and ifc is a favourable time for jam-making. The quality of the fruit is good, the berries being well coloured, large and firm. Values h ave eased in the past few days. More peaches and plums are coming in for sale at present. Both of these fruits are better coloured, and more satisfactory for dessert. They are meeting with a good demand, and local hothouse grapes are also selling well, and the quality of the fruit is fair. Gooseberries are practically finished, and only a few odd cases are coining to hand from the South Island Cherries are also scarce, though stocks may bo replenished by the Ulimaroa, which arrivps on Wednesday. There is a • very good market tor tomatoes, probably on account ot the Hot weather. The fruit is arriving in good condition. The quality of local apricots has improved a little, but it is not yet good. Banana stocks are short and will be so until the Tofua arrives on January 14. Prices are high. Oranges, also, are by no means plentiful. . Market values are:—Apricots: Local, 5/ to 8/. Oranges: Yalencias, 14/ to 22/6. Pines: Fiji repacks, 13/ to 15/. Tomatoes: No. l'e, half ripe, 7Mid to 9d lb; No. I's, ripe, 5d to 7d; medium and small, 3d to 4V 2 d; outdoor, 2d to 6d. Plums: Cherry, 2/6 to 5/; Sharp's Early, 4/ to 0/; Red Dessert, 3/ to 8/; Evans' Early, 4/ to 5/; cooking, 1/ to 2/6. Black currants: 5/6 to 7/6. Peaches: Choice coloured, up to 10/; others, 4/ to 8/. Lemons: Choice, cured, 10/ to 17/; others, tree ripe, 5/ to 8/. Grapes: Local hothouse, 1/10 to 2/6 lb. Apples: Canadian Jonathan, 17/; Winesap, 17/ to 17/6; Delicious, 17/ to 17/6; Newtown Pippin, 15/ ito 16/; local cookers, 7/ to 10/. Strawberries: Captain Cooks, 9d to lOVad; Marguerites and Helenslea Surprise, ,6d to Bd. Bananas: No. l's, 34/ to 36/; medium, 28/6 to 31/6; No. 2's, 15/ to 20/. Local Marrows Plentiful. Generally speaking, the vegetable demand over the holidays "was good, and supplies of most lines were exceptionally large. The market was particularly keen for peas, beans, cucumbers, and marrows. Quantities available of the two latter vegetables are now good. On the last day of the holidays prices for cucumbers camedown, because the vegetable could not be sent into the country. Values, however, are again firm. Peas are past their best. The quality is falling off slightly, and they are being sent in "old." Values have eased accordingly^ Latest quotations are:—Potatoes, new, 2/6 to 4/ b&g; onions, loca'l, 5/6 to 7/6 bag; kumaras, Tauranga, 12/ to 14/ cwt; cabbage, 2/6 to 7/6 sack; cauliflower, 6/ to 15/ sack; swedes, 4/ to 6/ bag; pumpkins, new season's, 9d to 2/6 each; green peas, 2/6 to 4/ bag; beans, French, 2d to 2Vid lb; broad beans, 2/6 to 4/ bag; lettuce, 1/ to 4/6 case; cucumbers, hothouse, 2/6 dozen; outdoor, 2/6 to 6/ dozen; vegetable marrows, 2/ to 5/6 dozen; water melons, 1/6 to 2/6 each; cabbage, on benches, 2/6 to 4/6 dozen; cauliflower, on benches, 3/ to 6/ dozen; celery, 2/ to 3/6 bundle; rhubarb, 1/6 to. 3/ dozen; spinach, 1/ dozen; radish, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; spring onions. 3d to 1/ bundle; carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, 1/ to 2/ dozen. Egg Prices Steady. Prices for eggs are unchanged, and supplies are very large. Usually at this time, the flush of the egg season is past, but it started 'late This year, with the result that there are many eggs on hand now. Current values are:—Hen eggs: Special grade, 1/5 dozen; A grade, 1/4; B grade, 1/3; C grade, 1/2. Duck eggs are the same. Farmers' butter is being sold at B%d to lOVad a lb. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was short, and the demand was keen. The prices paid remain level. Selling rates were as follow: —Cockerels:' Heavy breeds, prime, 6/ to 8/ each; not prime, 2/ upwards; light breeds, prime, 3/ to 4/6; not prime, 1/ to 2/. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 3/ to 4/; ■light breeds, 2/6 to 3/. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 3/6 to 5/; light breeds, 3/ to 3/6. Drakes: Young, prime, 3/9 to 5/; smaller, 2/ upwards. Ducks: Young, 3/9 to 5/; old, 2/ to 3/. Drakes: Old, 2/ to 3/. Geese: 5/ to 8/. Turkey liens: 6/ to 11/. Gobblers: 10/ to 22/. Cockerel chicks: Heavy breeds, 6d to 1/6; light breeds, 2d to 9d. Guinea fowls: 4/ to 5/.