The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-16
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL
Review of Portland Markets.
WEEK ENDING Oct TX 1879

WEEK ENDING Oct. Is, 1873.
The business transactions of the week have been
very large, the orders from country merchants being
numerous and requiring large quantities of mer-
chandise to repenish their stocks which had become
somewhat depleted. Thus far the fall business has
rather exceeded the antcipations of our importers
and jobbers, though they have calculated upon
good business. Prices of merchandise are very
steady and there are no changes this week of much
Importance. The panic, thus far, does not seem to
have affected prices and now that 1t appears to be
subsiding In great measure, it is hoped matters
will assume brighter aspect. The money market
of course, tight, but relief is gradually approach
ing. Gold has touched 10S, the lowest point since
1862, and the resumption of specie payments is now
urged all over the Union. A more favorable oppor-
tunty has before been offered for this purpose
and is hoped that Congress, at its coming session
will adopt measures to place the currency of the
country where it should be-upon a gold basis. On
Tuesday, there a sharp advance in gold, caused
by failures in New York, and the impossiolity of
obtaining large loans stock securities The price
advanced to 1891. Wednesday, the 18th, the price
went down to 1os49i0sl.
Apples are coming along in large quantities from
New York and Michigan and the best fruit Is selling
at So. There has been no Canada fruit brought in
yet, and but few Maine apples. Beans are in good
supply, and yellow eyes are lower. Box shocks are
steady at 1880 Butter is very firm at 32a35c for
choice table qualities Cheese is very firm with an
upward tendency for choice factory. Coal is steady
at the late advanced rates. Coffee is very firm.
Cordage is steady. Copper is quiet. Cooperage is
dull for everything but hoops for which there is
large demand Dry goods steady with large sales
by the jobbers Drugs and dyes are in good demand;
alcohol is little higher, and opium has shaded.
Portland duck is in good demand and prices are
steady Fish are firm with large Western demand,
and the business transactions have been large prices
are firm, the only change being slight reduction on
scaled herring Flour is active and prices for all
family grades very firm. Fruit is unchanged
from last week. Grapes abundant at 791Oc per
ID. Pears are selling at S6912 per Id. Grain is in
good demand; corn has slightly shaded since last
week. Hay is dull, the demand for export having
fallen off, but our quotations are unchanged. Iron
Is very steady with large sales. Lard is firm and
steady. Leather is quiet and unchanged Lime is
steady. Lumber is in good demand for spruce and
shingles, but pine lumber is rather dull. Molasses
is steady and firm with light stocks of grocers'
grades. Nails are unchanged. Naval stores are
qniet. Oils without change. Paints are steady
Produce is hardly active it has BEEN eggs are
selling at 279sc in large lots and potatoes at 5Oa6Oc
By the car load; sweet potatoes are S4d5 per Dbl;
onions $494 80 per Dbl; cranberries S1O2i2 per
Dol. PROVISIONS are flrm and prices of beef and
pork are unaltered. Salt is steady and in good de-
mand We uote the arrival of cargo of Cadiz this
week. Sugars are still lower for granulated and
coffee crushed, and large sales have been made at the
reduced rates. Tins unsettled and lower prices
fvoring purchasers Teas are very firm at our quo
tations, which rather below the point al which
they could now be placed here. Wool is in better
demand and prices are very firm. There is no dispo-
stion on the part of holders to push their stocks
upon the market.
FREIGHTs.-Foregn freights are inactive. There
is hardly any enquiry Just now, and no unengaged
tonnage in port. We do not learn of single foreign
engagement during the week. though there are one or
two in negotiation. Coastwise freights are unchanged
though the engagements the past week have beeu