Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-04 00:00:00

principtaT cninfiTipa 40—tha—bast.-grades- of Western
Stemmed and Leaf, and fine coloury Marylands—
prices for the former were pretty steadily maintained
until the sampling -of the late imports, when material
concessions were made to effect sales. Middling and
tonimon qualities' have been comparatively neglected,
and as a great proportion of . the, stock now on sale
consists of this class, holders are naturally competing to
quit it: Marylanclvwithout change, coloury dry lots still
sought after, and .easily disposed of; middling and-ill-
conditioned parcels however are very difficult to sell.
Virginia Leaf and_Stiips : The Irish and. Scotch dealers
were the chief competitors for this Tobacco, and made
large periodical purchases during the year; prices were
somewhat irregular,, having advanced in April and May,
and since receded toprevious rates. A fair demand has
existed throughout the year for fine rich long, leaf (either
Virginia_ or Kentucky) suitable for Africa, and full
prices have been obtained for really desirable qualities.
Several parcels, however, shipped from New Orleans as
fine African, turned out anything bid so on sampling,
and lower terms were accepted to close them. Fine
qualities are decidedly scarce, and the market is firm.
In comparing last year's returns, -:we 'have to notice
an increase of 1,116 hhds. Kentucky Stemmed over that
imported in 1858, whilst in the other sorts there is a
decrease of no less than 4,299 hhds., viz., 2,639 Virginia
Leaf, 500 Virginia Strips, 374 Kentucky Leaf, and 786
Marylands. The deliveries exceed those of the preVious
year by 2,554 hhds,, there being a decrease in the clear-
ances of 239 Virginia Strips and 422 Marylands, against
an increase of 660 Virginia Leaf, 784 Kentucky Leaf
and 1,771 Kentucky Strips. . The marked decrease in
our imports ,of American Tobacco- as shown above-is
alone attributable to the rent charge, many shipments
having been diverted from Liverpool in consequence.
Havana Cigars Although we have done a steady, and,
at times, considerable, business in this branch of the
trade, at prices _within, and, in some instances, outside
the range of our quotations, it is questionable whether
:the dealings have been of a. satisfactory nature either to
the-shipper or the importer. One fad we believe .to be
patent ; that sending out orders to the Havana, however
faithfully they may be executed, is more hazardous than
advancing on consignments; for in few instances have
we heard of more than a bare commission having been
netted; whereas, in most cases, a loss is all but certain.
We find as great a difficulty as ever in prevailing on
shippers to furnish us with Cigars of eligible count and
size, and the result is, that after the most suitable kinds
have been culled out of a parcel, a " tail" remains on
hand, which is ultimately sold at a great sacrifice, and
for a time shipments-are suspended. Our present shock
is barely ample for the supply of our regular trade,. and
the new imports will-consegne-iitlf 'come to a good
market. Cavendish: The trade in this was upon the
average scale during the year, without much fluctuation
In prices. We close with a stock .of 4226-boxes in
store:'