Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-25
ST. PAUL TRADE.
Weekly ReUietc of the st. Paul MARKETS.
OFFICE OF THE GLOBE

OFFICE OF TIE GLOBE,
ST. PAUL, Feb. "a, 1880. !
Generally speaking there has been mode
rately active movement in the several depart
ments of mercantile trade during the past
week. while few features have been presented
that call for special mention. Business at the
wholesale and jobbing houses Is undergoing
the hiatus generally experienced after an I'M
usually active season, and always realized, to q
certain extent, at this season of the year. a
slight falling off has been realized In the vol
ume of trade as compared with preceding
weeks of the year, and with the exception of
the grain market there have been no marked
fluctuations in values. The advance notes of
the ensuing spring season are already apparent
in the increased activity and cheerful expect
ancy to be seen at all the leading establish
ments. The bright, open weather of the past
few DAYS has encouraged dealers to anticipate
an early commencement of spring business
and should this condition of things continue
to prevail, it is confidently expected in another
week the spring trade will have fairly opened.
The grain market has been characterized by
greater activity during the past week and val
mes have advanced several cents per bushel
from previous quotations. The receipts OF
wheat have been light with fair movement to
the seaboard. Eastern advices show that while
the export demand is good and ocean freights
low, there is a disposition on the part of opera
tors to hold stocks for better prices, while
European dealers refuse to purchase on a
speculative market without liberal concessions,
which are most invariably refused. 1t has been
shown in previous issues of the GLOBE that
the requirements of France and Great Britain
have been largely everestimated, and to this
reason was traced their comparative Indlffer-
ence about meddlins with this market. From
reliable information the advisability
shown of marketing surplus stocks before the
American market would have to compete with
other grain growing countries at English and
French ports. 1t now appears that the require
ments of Great Britain and France will fall far
below previous estimates and the total wants
of these countries for the year ending August
3lst are placed at 100 600, 900 bushels. The to-
tai amount of wheat in sight is estimated at
80, I6S, 0OO bushels, against 2O,Ol3, 626 bushels
last year.
The receipts of corn have been liberal, but
with good inquiry. Values have ruled steady
at previous quotations.
The demand for oats continues good, and
with moderate offerings, values continue to
rule firm.
The provision market has been fairly active,
and, with moderate products, values have
ruled firm and higher. The receipts of hogs
have been light, and there is prospect of still
higher price. Generally speaking the offerings
of produce, in all the markets, have been
meagre, and prices for all descriptions of gen
eral produce continue to rule firm.
Some difficulty is reported at few of the
houses in making collections, which have been
more backward the past week than at any time
during the season. The inconvenience, how
ever, is only temporary. and is owing to the
fact that farmers are at present paying their
taxes, which creates an unusually heavy draft
the exchequer.
The demand for groceries and hardware has
been good, with no marked change in prices.
The inquiry for dry goods has been rather
quiet and the beginning of spring trade is ex-
pected next week. Values have generally ruled
steady.
The drug trade has been fairly active with
no material change in prices.
The same may be said of the trade in boots
and shoes and leather and findings, while the
movement in hides, furs and wool has been
quiet, with prices at the previous quotations.