New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-05-05
HOWARD,
London Letter.
LONDON, ENGLAND, April 14th, 1880.


The showcry characteristics of
April have not Licked excmplifca.
ton during the past week, and the
rain has at times been accompanied
by hail, as well as some atmospheric
disturbances in the shape of thunder
and lightning. A colder tempera.
ture has prevailed, with intervals of
brilliant sunshine between the show
crs, and in nearly all parts Of the
kingdom weather OF very benefi-
cial character to vegetation has been
experienced. Six weeks of thor
oughly seasonablc weather have
made a wonderful improvement in
the aspect Of the country, and the
rapidity with which those welcome
changes which mark the advent
of Spring have occurred has been
the subject of general congratulation.
Grass has grown vigorously, bios.
som is beginning to show upon the
fruit trees and after the dull monot-
onous brown of leafless trees and
barren land, the eye rests gratefully
onsthe pleasant verdant hues that
harbinger the Spring. Although
the thinness of the wheat plant has
been made the subject of remark in
several localities rural advices con.
tinue, on the whole, favorable as to
its present appearance, and the back
wardness of growth is not altogeth.
er to be regretted, seeing that May
frosts are not unknown IN this ca.
PRECIOUS climate and often injure
crops, which, by reason of unseason-
able mildness, have become IS win
ter.proud." This has fortunately
not been the case with the present
crop. which IS better prepared to
Withstand vicissitudes of tempera-
ture than would have been the case
had its vitality been unduly
forced during the winter months.
The frequent showers of the past
week have somewhat delayed the
termination of Spring sowing, but
the average yet unsown is compare
lively small, and the season is not
yet sufficiently advanced to render
this matter for any anxiety. Sup
plies of English wheat have again
been small both in London and at
the provincial markets, and de-
cline of Is. per or. has indicated a
weaker tone in the trade, as millers
have operated sparlngly, their re.
quirements being light, and weather
influences have not been adverse to
the prospects of the future crop.
With regard to foreign wheat last
Mondays arrival list showed an i'm.
portation into London of nearly 68.
600 qrs., more than one-half of
which quantity was from American
Atlantic ports, whence the latest
telegraphic advices report marked
decline in prices and such increased
shipments as virtually indicate the
collapse of the " ring That the
speculative combination in America
has failed in the attempt to dictate
prices to Western Europe is not a
matter of regret, but it may be re.
marked that the proximate cause of
failure is not so much the Austen.
ton from buying on this side as the
favorable weather which has given
promise of abundant crops in both
countries. Against this, American
finance has acknowledged itself pow.
erless, and has wisely Withdrawn
from the struggle. In all probability
Shippers limits will now be gladly
complied with in America, and hea-
Wy shipments thence for some time
to come may be expected, as there
is every promise of another enor.
nous crop of winter wheat in the
States the disposal of which will
necessarily be hampered should any
considerable reserve of last seasons
growth remain unsold. Under these
circumstances 1t need scarcely be
said that very marked decline has
taken place in the value of wheat in
London. Red winter, which fort.
night ago was worth 81 s. has been
moved with difficulty at 3 s.pcr or.
below this price, and, although Rus
sian sorts have not receded in quite
such decided manner, the tendency
has in all cases been adverse to sell
lers. At the same time the decline
has stimulated the demand, and, in
some cases millers have bought with