The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-07
PETERSBURG LETTER.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Ma,kets-Remarhs and charlottesville
mortal Ssociation-Ladies Still Enthat-
SiaStic.
prTERsRrRC. Nav G. .

PETERSBURG, May 6, 1868.
In all the departments Of trade there has
been an increase Of activity since our last
report. At that time there was q temporary
depression on account Of the bad weather.
Since then good general business has been
doing, and in all articles of country pro-
duce, particularly provisions, the market lis
very firm. Corn has been steadily advanc-
ing for several weeks, the demand from
North Carolina and other rural districts be-
ing greater than has been known for seve-
raj years. Last year the planters seemed
to have but one idea, and that was cotton !;
and consequently grain crops were sadly ne
elected. Now they have to pay the penalty
Of a system Of management so improyident
Flour is also very firm, and so Is bacon. In
short, all the necessaries of life are in de-
mand Mt the highest rates.
The. cotton market is somewhat easier
than it was few days ago, and decline OF
cent to q cent and half may be noted.
The price of this important staple has now
probably reached its maximum, and with
occasional slight fluctuations it may be ex-
pected to stand at about the same figure,
until some estimate can be formed OF the
coming crop. The great advance since the
beginning Of the year has served the pnr-
pose of inducing another vigorous effort in
growing cotton; and should the season be
anywise favorable the next crop may exceed
the last, perhaps to the amount of half q
million of bales. Under tolerably propi-
tious circumstances last years crop would
not have fallen short Of two and halt, per-
baps two and three fourths millions Of
bales, whereas there is no prospect now that
it can reach two millions and quarter.
But even this would have been great re-
lief to the business Of the country at pre-
sent prices.
While the receipts of cotton have come
down to a few hundred bales per week,
those of tobacco have been gradually in
creasing, with some improvement also in
the grades. 1t was hoped that the portion
Of the crop which has been held back tor
late pricing would prove to be Of much bet
ter quality, but the proportion OF fine to-
bacco is not large: it is less, probably,
than it has been for some years.
The following quotations IRE believed to
represent the State Of the market ut this
time with . good degree Of accuracy
Cotton Ordinary, 81 to 2sc.; middling, % to
Iobdceo.-Lugs-Low,& - TO so; good 81 to 50:
yellow, fine, % TO $40. Leaf-Short common, 81
to 20: good, $40 TO xl5; working, bright SIS to
$50; fancy, $zo TO So Wrappers--c Common; $40
to @le good, $50 to so; fine. $50 to $75. Ship
GOOD % to Sc; leaf medium, $i2 10 SIS; good,
=. rsoas..Fine, $40 to $3.50; superanc, sls to
as 81: extra $llt0 $l4.50 family, SIS 60 $3.50.
Whsat. Prime white, $e. 80 70 -; prlRe red,
S7.75 TO S1.5a ordinary, q. 50 70 W.. =,
G g s;yl as e SIS; mixed $50 70
'Bae0a.-Virginia hog round, l7s 10 lsc:; shout
ers. ID ID lS1c. sides II TO l7ac. hams. is TO 2oc
Western shoulders, l63 to lSe,; sides, W. tsc.
s,lg1,r-etred hams, 20 10 SEE. ~ 80.
lard. --yirginia 29e.; western, in barrels, Socs;
ptss.1SostIl caro,ins clipped herrings, 90 70
u. 80 gross $3.50 70 81 roe 10 10 Wy; roe, III
haltbsfrels q. soto %. - IA -
Bffker.-Gooi couIiry, so TO 65e. .ce2aMoh, Nv 70
lse. Goshen, H t07Sc.
Iya0.-Gseen apples, 30 To $40 dried apples,