Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-09-30
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
Brisk Rmlcs In Fall Trade.-.Conddence
Amsng Merchants.

Asssng Merchants.
With the advance of the season, says
the New York Tribune, the prospects
of satisfactory TRANSACTIONS IN every
branch of trade become brighter. Al
ready merchants and importers are IN
good spirits over tho prosperity OF their
business. A feeling Of confidence per'
vades mercantile circles which is III
marked contrast with the prevailing
feeling in previous years since thepanic..
Recently there has been q great influx OF
people to the city, and the hotels are
crowded with Wholesale buyers from the
country. In almost every branch OF
trade transa ctions are daily increasing.
Western buyers generally report the
crops to be in good condition. The fall
wholesale trade is now fairly begun, and
the hustle and activity visible in every
business part Of the city furnish sufii-
cient evidence OF returning prosperity.
So great is the pressure OF business that
the clerks Of many Wholesale houses are
occupied up to twelve o'clock at night
preparing the days sales for shipment.
One of the most encouraging indica-
tions, merchants say, is the disposition
of buyers to do business upon a safe
basis.
The demand for wooden fabrics Of do
nestle make has been very large this
year. The sales of one house engaged
in the wooden trade, including cassi-
meres, blankets, and fannels of Ameri-
can make, amounted to 1886, 900 for tif-
teen days, against 814O, 900 for u CORE
spending period last year. The advance
in the price OF wool has had tendency
to increase the business in wooden
goods. The price of some classes Of
wool is as high now as it was last Feb.
ruary, but merchants think this will
have no immediate effect upon the
manufactured goods. In a conversation
with dealer in wooden goods, he said
that the exports OF this country last year
were $50, 600, 900 more than the imports,
and that the increase in exports this
year would largely exceed that sum.
The importation Of foreign fabrics was
down to the lowest point. The hard
times of previous years had driven the
people to use domestic goods because of
their cheapness. The result had been
that home manufactured cloths and
other articles, which had been discarded
formerly for the foreign goods, were
now kept by houses whose business was
confined to foreign goods before. The
fine domestic fabrics were as good as the
and the quantity of foreign
goods sold was certain to decrease from
year to year. Fine worsted cloths had
been scarce during the season, and the
mills had found difficulty in supplying
the wants of the people. As an instance
of the pressure upon the manufacturers,
the dealer referred to orders which he
had given in June that had not yet been
completed.
Merchants say the trade with the
Southwest and Southern States was most
encouraging. There had been a great
number of buyers from those parts OF
the country, and there was every sign of
q good volume of sales. The buyers
from those States reported the crops in
a flourishing condition, and that the
people were in better circumstances than
for several years past. In speaking of
the prices, it was asserted that the fig
ures were firm generally, but cotton
goods and prints had gone up within
three or four weeks. The cause of this
advance was declared to be that the de-
mand had been greater than the supply,
and several cotton mills had resumed
work within two weeks.
The millinery houses, like nearly all
others, have been showing signs of ami
nation, and some large sales have been
The prices of straw goods are
we'll sustained, and straw hats in attrac-
tive styles find a ready sale. Ribbons
are in good demand, and sell readily at
an advance of from ten to twenty per
cent. since the rise in the price of raw
silk. The demand for velvets for mil
linery purposes is very brisk. Silks for
the same purposes, and trimmings, are
quickly purchased at fair prices. The
sale of flowers and feath, rs has increased
in the same ratio as straw goods. The
greatest demand is for fancy feathers,
plumes and wings.
The silk trade is active, and many
large transactions are carried on in dress
silks daily. It has been noticed that
purchasers of silks will buy freely at an
advance of fifteen per cent. but are I'M
willing to pay more. If merchants can
not buy goods at this increase they re-
fuse to buy at all, and it is thought that
this tendency of dealers will have the
effect of preventing the great rise in the
price of silks which has been expected
in some quarters.
The leather trade, which has been
dropping for some years, in common
with other industries has regained it's
and those engaged in the bust
ness speak very hopefully. The price
Of leather OF roarIy all kinds has de-
creased slightly from last year, but the
change is not very marked. The great
est demand is for the coarser qualities,
Jet there are fair business transactions
IN fine goods.
In the boot and shoe trade goods OF
medium prices are principally called for,
md the leading houses continue to do
safe business.
There is general confidence among re-
;ail dealers in the various branches of
business as we'll as among the wholesale
houses.
Fall BOnnets.
French bonnets imported for the fall
md early winter are exceedingly rich |