, 1874-03-02

Tho usually dreary procession Of days Which
mako up the wintor months, aB they arc popular
ly regarded, has now passed by. It las not been
very gha6tly procession thus far indeed, Its
aspect las boon one Of unprecedented mildnoss.
The blustcr Of November, which frightened 80
many VINO expecting very hard winter, turnod
out to bo only little meteorological brag after
nll. Tho indications now arn that tho soason OF
navigation will open very soon, though VIC mAy
hnvo great deal Of raw weather hoforo summer.
It Gun scarcely bo cold enough after this to add
materially to tho thickness Of tho ico in tho
Straita Of Mackinnw, which il understood to DO
already Oh tho point Of breaking up and moving
out with the eastward cnrront. Wo aro usually
ready in Chicago two or throe weeks beforo til
Straits are open, and if thcy arc cleared OF ice
within short ti,ne ovon tho equinoctial winds
Of March will not proyont our 1ako craft from
moving. Freight room for wheat to Buffalo was
offered to-day at 90 per bu, and 71ac was tho boat
bid reported. :" ;-.'..
William Young l. Co.. commission merchants,
Of this city, have isauet tlloir annual circular,
showing tho ''1'rcannt and prospective supply OF
spring wheat from now until next harvest" Tho
information contained in the circular embraces
returns from 40 points in Iowa, 81 in Wisconsin.
80 in Minnesota, and 81 III Nebraska, q total of
1877 pointH heard from. From M analyaiB, it
would appear that tho stock Of wheat ut interior
points is considerably larger than Mt this timo
Inst yaar, especially ut the prominent places.
There il lntsy OF other information relative TO
tho prospects, otc., but tho document il too vol
luminous for nB to attempt anything more than
Ill analysis Of tho prominent feature.
THE MARKETS. T.
The loading produce markets woro rather losR
actiyo to-day, with few important changes III
prices tho tendency throughout boing to Hteadi-
moss. oxcopt in wheat. Tho receipts are rather
Hmatl for tho neaHon With no prospect OF a large
increaao in corn, oats, or ryo.
The demand fur staplo domestic and foreign
dry goods was fair for tho. Rcaapn, and the go1l-
eral markot ngain prosecuted firm, healthy tone.
Groceries were without change in price, but SOME
lines Of goods were moro firmly hold. This was
specially. truo Of coifoes and sugars. and III tho
formor tho tendency was upward Tens were
quiet and oasy, while rico, apiccs soaps, candles,
Hirupg, and most other descriptions wcre stcadi-
ly held. butter continues active and firm. Good
to fancy lots sold at S3G43c, and poor to medium
at 25@3oc. ClecHo renaina quiet and firm at tho
advance noted early in the week, No auotab!o
changes wcre .doveloped in tito fish, canned
goods, and driod fruit lnarhota. Dagging re-
ton, and At 2o1lo Tor Amerieai, aild Amoslsuag.
liberal movement III oils was Witnessed at u,i-
chRngod MD genoraly firm pricoa. Pig iron,
paints, tobncco, coal, and wood were quoted
quiet aud steady. Leather WAS firm nj previous
The shipping movement OF tho common grades
Of lumber continues largo, and, undor reduced
stocks, prices aro ruling tlrm at tho recent adj
Vanc1. lilo other grades aro steady, and Shin
gloH and latll active a,iu firm. Mota!s and tin
nots stock were Atoady and fairly uctive. Build
Ing matcrials wore quiet. mills wore quito firm
under all active inquiry. No chnngo was appa-
ront III tlIo WOOL hay, hop, or broom-corn MIR
kota. The seed market VIII loss active, but tllo
focling waA ono OF trlnnoAs, especially for chuco
Boeds. Timothy aud clover wore in den,autl
for shipment 10 Canada. Green fruits woro
ratl.or quiet, but atoady, excepting appleH which,
being lii liboral supply, rnlol weak. THO local
tralo in potatoes wAa again fair, and pricoR wero
without important change. Tho reeoipta wero
larger, but choice peachblowH brought formor
prices In cars. Choice dresHod poultry was firm
il1slor q good demnlsa and light supply. EggH
wcro dull and lower.
Iljghwinos were in good roquoat and steady
during tho greater part Ut the session Mt yoHtor-
tlay'A price, aaloA being reported OF 800 brs ut
O3u por gallon. Toward l o'ulouk Cincinnati WIS
reported weak aud lower, a,l Nov York wRH also
lowsr, ut fliu, but our market oloaol steady.
Dressed hogs wors quiet a,ia easier, thu mider
woathar making BhprorB leAs anxious to buy
ai.sl holders leas willing to keep back thor otror-
ingH till Monday. Illa gonoral 1nArkot WIS 5000
per l0o lbs for light, atll su.lo0l0.15 for gooa
lseayy, viii, lttle lno1o for really choice lots.
Halos wera ro[oroAof ii ut bt,.25 AlD at $612I5;
4I0 u sl.10; ~ at $5.45; 81, dividing On 20O
lbH, Ut s0.lv@0.16. Total, 02G heal. -