The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-09 00:00:00

THE CANADIAN TIMBER TRADE.

(From Messrs: Forsyth, Bell, Co.'s Annual ar;ular.)
Quebec, 21st December, 1855.

We think it a matter of congratulation that, although the
war continues, and money is in unprecedented demand, the
prospects are good for mostly all articles of timber, and in
reviewing the business of the past season our remarks
contrast strongly and favourably with those in our last
annual Circular. Then, all was doubt and uncertainty
both in England and in Canada in respect to our reports of
wool, and the only true corrective (as Messrs. Churchill
and Sim rightly stated) lay in greatly reducing the
manufacture of timber and deals. So great, however, is
the stock of the latter both in London and Quebec that
the same course must still be pursued before prices can

rally.
Money continues scarce, and our banks from baying fur

many years been far to) liberal in granting credits, are now
rather inclined to

o into the other extreme, and we cannot
avoid cautioning our friends on the Ottawa and St.
Lawrence against embarking into transactions in the hopes
of finding money easily procurable in winter. There seemq
a growing impression that because our markets closed
firmly and the price is good in Liverpool that it mus► be

exceedingly high all next scaion, but when we refer to the
stocks wintering, and bring to mind the difficulty last year
experienced in proc ring tonnage, even when freights
advanced, we think we owe it to all interested in the trade

to state that should freights c mtiuue in as great request in
England as they have been for some time past, that it is not
only possible, but very probable, that our tonnage nest year
may not exceed that of the past one, the effect of which
would be very prejudicial to the manufacturer of timber
and deals. By the mail just received, we find prices in
Liverpool are not so buoyant, but the import from Quebec
is low.

With these general remal ks we will consider each article
separately, and in that of White Pine have to give a stock
of 911 millions of feet wintering this year, against 7.1 last
season, while the export has been about 11 millions, against
I9i last year. It opened in spring with great dullness and
langour, and it was not till large purchases were made, late
in summer, that prices rallied, and continued steadily but
gradually to advance, the market in England showing more
than a corresponding rise. In our Circular, early in Sep-
tember,:we stated our conviction that the supply would be
six or seven millions short of last year, and though many
thought we bad under-rated the quantity coming forward,
we find the difference is within a fraction of the lesser
amount, being 13,574,685 feet in 1855, against 19,648,006
feet in 18.51. Our quotations are the present asking prices,
although there have been some large sales made lately of
66 feet at 81, and a raft of as small an average as 50 feet
within the last week at 61, measured off. In 1851 a good
number of rafts of fine quality, wintered over in the Ottawa,
but This season almost every raft got to market, and we
cannot look for any superior timber early next spring, so
that all the vessels coming out in May and June, will have
to look to the stock on hand, much of which is of ordinary

quality

WHITE PINE 1855. 1854.
Stock Wintering 9,513,044 ft. 7,537,104 ft.
Measitred by Supervisor 13,574.685 " 19,648,006 "
Exported ... 10,843,226 " 19,612,320 "
RED PINE was very dull until late in the season, and
although it closed much more firmly than many anticipated,
the stock is large, larger in fact than it has been for the last
five years. A great portion of it is small, and a good deal
two years old ; and, while small timber is dull, large com-
mands a fair price, and we quote 40 feet in the raft at ls.
What is manufactured this winter should be at least 45 feet
good and straight, for inferior timber has all the season been
placed with difficulty, and, in many cases, at extremely low
rates.

RED PINE— 1855. 1854.
Stock Wintering 3,001,320 ft. 2,452,246 ft.
Measured by Supervisor 2,632,720 " • 3,7.56,848 "
Exported
OAK-1 he quantity wintering over is unusually heavy,
and unless the manufacture ceases in a great measure, we
cannot see how it can sell at remunerating prices ; much
has been purchased at 16d, and some of ordinary quality at
is to 14d. A great deal in market is middling in quality,
and for the last two seasons less care has been taken in the
manufacture than in previous years.
OAK— 1855. 1854.
Stock Wintering . 1,711,184 ft. 928,149 ft.
Measured by Supervisor 2,023,362 „ 2,176,071 „
Exported
ELM is abundant in stock, though the quantity of really
prime timber is less than it has been for many years.
Nearly three-fourths of what Las come to market is poor
and small, notwithstanding. the warning we last year gave,
that nothing would sell to advantage unless all rock forty
feet average, straight and well manufactured.
ELM— 185.5. 1854.
Stock Wintering
Measured by Supervisor 1,854,322 " 1,927,865 „
Exported
Asn is so limited an article of export that manufac urers
cannot depend with any certainty on its sale, as it now is
enquired for in quantity, we do not recommend our friends
to bring it to market.
ASH—

Stock Wintering
Measured by Supervisor

1855. 1854.
179,609 ft. 123,149 ft,
12,107 " 221,4'46 "

Exported

49,140 " 106,160 "
TAMARIC : Although the stock is very great, the quantity
of square is as limited as that of flat is large, and most of
this is small. In operations now going on in the woods,
we recommend parties to get nothing but large sized girthy
timber, and we think they may calculate on fair prices for
either flitted or square, if this suggestion be attended to.
TAMARAC— 1855. 1854.
Stock Wintering ...... 1,138,385 ft. 1,465,115 ft.
Measured by Supervisor 240,341 " 2,649,750 t
Exported
STAVES have been in very fair demand all season, at
prices varying from £45 to £55 for Standard, and .£ll lOs
to £l3 for Puncheon. Both last season and this, the
quantity of Culls has been ruinously large, and the heavy
losses entailed on the parties who sent them to market, will
doubtless have the effect of more care and circumspection
being shown in purchasing on the Like shore than has
been lately used. Of the stock on hand more than half are
Calls.

STAVES, STANDARD—
Stock Wintering
Culled by Supervisor
Exported
STAVES, PUNCHEON—

1855. 1854.
• 1,262 Mille. 655 Mile.
• 1,789 1,831 "
.• 1,242 " 1,579 "

Stock Wintering
Called by Supervisor
Exported .......... 2 136 " 2,708 "
DEALS.—The stock wintering over this year is very
heavy, being equal to the aggregate of 1852, 1853, 1854,
and unless the quantity manufactured be small, it will take
some time before there is any visible improvement in price.
Many of our large mills are either absolutely closed or
working on a limited scale, and as deals have seen the
worst in London, we need not be surprised to see a gradual
rise next season.

DEALS, PINE—
Stock Wintering
Culled by Supervisor
Exported
DEALS, SPRUCE—

1855. 1854.
.... 1,944,460 825,134
„, 2,740,400 1,223,568
,1,867,119 2,604,654

Stock Wintering
Culled by Supervisor
Exported
FREIGHTS opened languidly at 27s 6d, but gradually, as
vessels arrived in small numbers, and the market in
Liverpool for timber showed improvement, they rallied
until they reached 41s. The difference in our tonnage is
very striking, and so many vessels being employed by
government and in other trades, make Freights still high
in England, and ships are in request. New ships have of
late been commanding more attention than during the last
twelve months, partly owing to the c 'uses just mentioned,
of a rise in freights, and partly from their admipance into
France. It is only lately this privilege has been granted,
and we have not heard of any orders in consequence ; but,
as a caution to ship builders on the spot, we may mention,
of the 27 vessels built here last winter, only eight have
been sold up to Ist December. There are now laid down in
Quebec an
about 900 tonsd in the neighbourhood, 21, of an average ton-
age of .
ARRIVALS AND TONNAGE AT THE

PORT OP QUEBEC, FOR
THE YEARS
Vessels. Tons.
1851
1852
..
1853 1,055
............. 1,188
18.55 .....
1854.... ......... 1,315 •
580,323

)- -
316,449

FOne of the seats for Tatnworth is rendered vacant by
Captain Townshend's a2cession to the peerage. We
understand that a requisition has been signed by the
most influential electors, requesting the late member's
eldest son (now Lord Raynham) to allow himself to be
put in nomination.
The Times says .—We anticipate from Russia neither
a refusal nor an acceptance, but such a modified counter
proposition as may give rise to negoeiations and enable
her to play off upon us the devices of another pacification
and another conference. We trust that such insiduous
overtures will be pere.nptorily refused. It is absolutely
requisite for the very existence of the government that
it should meet parliament with a decided announcement
of peace or war. A repetition of the uncertainty of last
April the house cannot and will nut tolerate.

TRADE REPORT.—Tus SDAY

---...---

Corrox : With only a moderate demand, and an ample
supply, the Cotton market has ruled dull, and priCes are
very irregular. The sales—including 30 Pernambuco, at
7d ; 30 Saida, at 58d; 10 Maranham, at 6d ; 500 Surat,
at 30 to 4il—are reported 6,000 bales, of which 1,600 are
on speculation and export.

COTTON STATEMENT.-PROM IST SEPT. TO 26TH DEC,

I Exports to
Receipts.

FOreign
Ports.

237 010

Exports to
Great

418 000

in,g4o

Stock and on
Shipboard.

514,009
353,648

160,352

PIG IRON : There has not been much business done to-
and prices closed for Warrants at 74s cash, and 75s for
The shipments, last week, were 6,570
,070 for the corresponding week of last

tons, ag
year:

open

- MANGANESE : Firmer rates are demanded.
WAX : Some White Japan sold at £5 ss.
TARTARIC ACID 7 Holders show mere disposition to meet
the market, and it now offers at Is 4id.
CONCENTRATED LEMON JUICE : Three pipes sold at 11d.
ACETATE OF LIME is wanted, with little or nothing

offering.

ARGJLS : No sales of any moment:
PEPPER: 54d is now the price for Malabar Black.
ARSENIC: IS 61 the quotations.
CLovas : Upwards of 100 tons on the way_
the nominal value
TALLOW • Aondon quotations are—January, March,

5},,d to 61ci

April, June, 735; buyer;

r the last