The Portland daily press., 1868-05-06

WEEK ENDING May 8, 1868.

The business transactions of the past week have
been fair without being heavy. In some depart
ments of trade, and especially in the dry goods,
and the drugs and oils, the business has been
fully up to last year; but In the grocery de-
partment it has not been SO large. The business
transactions have been of legitimate character,
merchants from the interior only purchasing to
meet the wants of their customers.
Our State has been overrun lately by drummers
from Boston who are endeavoring to dispose of the
old stocks in the hands OF merchants in that city;
but their has not been very favorable. Our
country merchants have begun to look with dstrust
upon these runners. ga burnt child breads the
fire." p
Gold has been very steady during the past week
at 139@1394 spectators having, seemingly, retired
from the market. 1t closed on Saturday at 1891.
Monday, 4th it opened at 1891 and closed at 1899.
Tuesday 5th it opened at 1894 and was very steady
during the daythe highest point being 1893 and the
lowest 1891. 1t closed at the opening price.
-APPLES-Ihe market continues to be abundantly
supplied with choice fruit and prices are low which
renders dried apples drug. Choice Baldwns are
selling at So: Dried apples range from 1O916c and
slow OF sale.
ASHES-There is no change. The demand is
limited
BEANS-The demand continues to be good and
prices are very firm at our quotations.
BREAD-There is fair demand for hard bread at
our quotations. -
BOX SHOOKS-There is some little demand, but
prices have receded and we quote them at 70975c.
# would be difficult to effect large sale at the
BUTTER-The receipts have been large, but the
quality is ordinary, as general thing. We quote
mddling to fair at 40@50c and prime at so and 55c.
Store obtains better price consequent upon the in
CANDLES-Tbere is a steady demand tor Trow-
bridges m0ulds at our quotations. .. ..a. g..
GHEEsEThsre is tair demand for the article,
York cheese are quick at tic. Common cheese is
held at l4915c.
COAL-The stocks have been replenished by re-
cent arrivals and dealers have reduced the prices tor
prime anthracites to $S9$S 30, delivered.
| COOPEkAGE-Ihe demand for molasses shocks
CORDAGE-The demand is very light, and the
% Sasness transactions
have been very fair: We note decline in prices Of
Bi-carb and Sal soda.
DUCK-The demand tor Portland duck continues
to be large. Prices are 6sc for l. SAC Tor No 10 and
DRY GoODS-The market has been very steady
and firm and the sales have been large Prices are
unchanged though the tendency for cotton goods is
upward. Our market is more favorable for BUYERS
than the New York market, as the prices here
| shade lower than there. Woolensl are unchanged,
with good demand for spring styles,
tendency Stocks never were SO small before at this
season, as they are now. Dealers are obliged to
abridge on orders received. The prospect is good
| tor remunerative prices for new fish.
sFLOUR-The market rules very quiet, with no
change in prices. The demand is moderate and con-
| fined to immediate wants. Western dealers antici-
for expectation, and short supplies at home.
FRUIT-We have only to note an increase of
S19l 50per box for oranges, the supply Of which is
stated to be short for the season. .s1ttl
GRAIN-The supply of corn is ample and prices
have gone down. We quote Western mixed at
81 2491 25-saes by the car load have been made at
cordng to quality Southern white 81 25. Oats are
steady at ss@92c fine feed held at $52 per ton and
shorts at $45@4s per ton. 'N
| GUNPOWDER-Ther is no change in the price
OF Oriental Company Powder, for which there is a
fair demand.
HAY-There is no animation in the market and
| prices are unchanged. The demand for shipping is
light, and we notice that in Boston prices ave fall
en- off.
HIDES AND SKINs-The trade is light and oper-
| ations are confined to small quantities. Ga
IR0N-Our quotations are unchanged. The de-
mand has been very fair and still continues. Nails
are selling at sic for assorted sizes.
| LARD-There has been further improvement
In lard and we now quote at 19t2O9c in bbls and
| LEAD-There is no change in the market. The
demand Is moderate.
| LIME-The demand is increasing. We note a
urther reduction OF &c and now quote Rockland at
| 81 Pool 70 for cask.
LUM BER-There is little more movement, but
our quotations are unaltered. There is a moderate
demand tor hard lumber with scanty supply in the
market.
LEATHER1The market is very firm. Light and
midding weights are very much sought after.
| MOLASSES-The receipts have been very light
during the past week. The market is firm at our
quotations which are 75a80c toi Porto Rico; 6Gd65c
for Cienfuegos 56c for Trinidad in hhds and 73c
for choice do in bbs. Cuba cayed is held at at AGO
49c and MuscovadO at 51455c. Portland Sugar
House syrup is held at 40c in barrels.
| NAVAL STORES-There has been an advance in
turpentine and we now note it at 82(dS5c.
OlLS-Lard and refined porgie oils have advanced.
In other oils there is no change. The demand con-
tinues to be good,
| OAKUM- No change in the market. Prices are
sustained though the demand is light.
l market iS wi a6u do
mand. No change from last weeks quotations.
| PLASTER-The receipts are increasing, and
prices have gone down to 50 tor soft and 81 30 for
PRODUCE-The market is very steady for most
all sorts of produce. with good supplies excepting
| potatoes and onions. Potatoes have further adj
yaneed, AMI prime ones ara held at 81 per Dbl
Eggs are selling at 2292Sc in Iackages., Onions
| are very scarce and are held at S14 per Dbl.
| PROVlSIONS-The market for beef is more quiet.
| There is some excitement in pork and prices are
maintained at our quotations. Extra clear is held
at ss2; clear SSO9S1 mess s2s92st; prime $2492e.
shoulders.
RICE-The demand except for immediate use is
small. Our quotations are maintained
| SALT-There is a large demand for fishing pur-
poses, and we note reduction in price. Cadiz in
| ond is selling at so so.
SoAPS-At the reduced prices, Leathe g. Cores
steam refined soaps find good market and are in
| demand In all parts Of the State.
| SUGARS-1he market rules firm for Portland
sugars and the demand from the West is increasing
Our quotations show the prices on Tuesday.
| Is good. Prices are without change
| TEAS The demand is moderate and prices are
without change. There is an improved demand
| for Japan teas.
| TINS-There is a better demand for pig tin and
| prices have advanced. Plates are fat and I'M
| changed.
| VARNlSH-Prices are without change and the
demand cont lues to be moderate.
| i. WOOL-Ihe market continues steady. Transae-
tiens have been confined to small lots for immedi-
| ate consumption. An encouraging feature is the
passage OF the act exemptng wooden manufactures
from tax.
| FRElGHTS-There has been but little doing the
| past week. The following are the engagements
since our last reports sch Whitney, Long, to load