Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-09-01
ANNUAL REVIEW

OF THE
Commercial Year, Ending Aug.
81, 1870. "
The absence of that valuable adjunct to
all commercial and manufacturing commu-
mites of any importance, viz: Board of
Trade" or Chamber of Commerce" reE-
ders it difficult to procure reliable sum-
mary of trade, and such statistical informa-
ton relating thereto, as we could desire,
but Notwithstanding this obstacle, We have
underworld by personal inquiry and re-
search to remedy as far as possible this de-
fciency.
The past year has certainly been a
gloomy one as regards the great staple of
the South. The crop was much larger
than that of the preceding year, but the
business in this city falls far short of that
of 1869. both as regards prices and the
number of bales handled. The year
opened favorable enough, and during the
month of September, 1863, the market was
active and buoyant, at prices ranging from
2S5 to 80 cents. The month following
showed fair receipts, but prices had dropped
to 23@23t for the best grades. In Novem-
Der the same prices were obtained, but
holders generally were disposed co await
better advices before selling. December
came, and the quotations. were reduced to
2l@22t for low middlings as an average
throughout the month. In January the
average price was about the same as the
month preceding. February, prices were
quiet and steady, but there were
no indications of any improvement:
In March there was still
further decline, with quotations, ranging
from IL to 10 for inferior to low middling.
April showed slight improvement, and
2lc was obtained for the best grades The
prices in May differed but little from those
Of the preceding month. In June the
figures ranged from IA to 201. July was
very dull, and quotations ranged from to
17t. August brought another decline, and
the outside figure remained about l63 Tor
middling cotton.
Under our cotton head elsewhere will be
found the receipts and shipments for the
year, from which it will also be seen that
the stock carried over to the new year
amounts to 2201 bales. While the year has
been one of gloom, our factors have ope-
rated with great caution, and, it is believed,
have ''held their own" While they have
distributed among the thousands large
sums accruing from business in which an
immense amount Of capital is employed,
they have been unfortunate with regard to
themselves, as far as profits are concerned.
We hope that the close of the cotton year,
which commences to-day, will be much
more favorable to our enterprising factors,
who have always been foremost in advanc-
ing the commercial interests of the city.
The Grocery Trade.
The increase in the grocery trade for the
year Just closed has been very hattering
and satisfactory to our dealers. No city in
the country can boast of sounder or better
men than those engaged in this depart
ment, and other branches of pursuit and
industry would have been in a languishing
condition for the past few years, but for the
60 aheadativeness of our grocers. From
the best information we can obtain, the
business of the year has amounted to up
wards of 81, 0O0, 900. We will not attempt
to go into details regarding the trade, but
from statistics gathered, the sales of staples
r N