Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-02

PROVISIONS.
If our resders will refer to our annual re-
view Of September LIST, 1881, and read over our
remarks at that time. they cannot but be sur
prised at our remarkable forecast OF the future
We then said
crop in the West looks rather blue, drought
being the prevailing complaint. and there is no
doubt that the crop will be shorter than the
previous season. AS short corn crop means
a small supply of hogs, our readers can form
their own deductions as to the future"
In the face Of what has happened since this
was written we call it but little short OF pro-
phecy The corn crop, which was over seven
/ teen hundred million bushels in $780,
/ was not quite twelve hundred million bushels
in 1881, and, consequently corn advanced
/ ern markets. Prov isions naturally advanced
/ with corr. and, under a continued demand
! from abroad, together with the increased home
consumption, caused by immigration and the
/ natural Increase of population, they advanced
even more than corn. At present writing
stocks in all markets of supply are very low
practically exhausted-and parties needing
provisions may expect to pay enhanced prices
the balance Of the season. 1t is hoped that the
growing corn crop in the great corn belt of the
West, will prove large one, so that corn will
be plentiful and the hog supply mere ased, but
from the present outlook we do not expect for
any great deduction from present prices until
late this year
our provision merchants all say that trade
IN LQdD line mas D66u very diSC NA4Ao JCaAf
greater than ever known before, and with in
creased facilities for handling their stocks
there has been neither hitch nor delay In filling
all orders sent them. We call our readers at
tention to this fact, and again remind them
that for prOmptness and as low figures as the
market can afford our city has few equals and
no superiors.
FERTILIZERS.
The fertilizer trade of Savannah amounts to
about sixty thousand tons year. or say more
than two and half million dollars. This is
only intended to cover what is sold by Savan-
nah houses, and does not include what is ship
ped to this port by other houses doing business |
elsewhere. The fertilizer trade Of Savannah
is not confined to this State, but extends into /
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ala
bama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.
We think the outlook of the fertilizer trade for
the coming year is encouraging, and that with /
a large CO ton crop and good prices, the de |
mand will be greater than the past season. In /
short, the use of fertilizers has become ne |
cessity, and our farmers are as loath to attempt |
to make crop without them as they would be |
to gin without meat and bread.
Owing to the extended drought throughout /
the Southern States the past year, the trade |
was fully 25 per cent. less than for the previous /
year, due entirely to The want of means and
credit with which to buy. The present outlook |
bids fair for large yield from all crops, and /
it is natural to suppose that the fertilizer trade
the coming year will equal if not surpass, that /
of any previous year. Our planters are fast /
learning to farm scientifically, and to more |
fully realize the necessity for using the most |
improved agricultural implements. In former
years they cultivated, say fifty acres, with an [
average yield Of not more than one bale Of /
cotton to every five acres, while now twenty
five acres brought to a high state of cultivation
by the use of commercial fertilizers is made to
yield more than was formerly made upon fifty
acres.
GROCERIES,
The grocery trade of Savannah is gradually
increasing every year, and we can safely say
that the amount of goods handled during the
- has hnn in nNrD Of linz
ones This is due to the fact that the country
merchants are beginning to see that it is to
their advantage to buy in this market and in
consequence most of our grocery houses have
several representatives travelling on the road.
To buyers Savannah offers special inducements
on staple goods, such as coffee, rice, sugar,
mOlasseS salt, etc
Prices during the year have ruled high for
all articles except that of coffee, which has
been cheaper than any time since the war.
Col ections, except in few localities have
beenremarkably good, and the prospect for the
future is very hatteriDg. Owing 10 the short
crop and high prices in this country -eral
articles of foreign production have been ex-
tensiveiy handed Amoug these are potatoes
from Scotla1d, and rice from India Sending
the latter to this market, however, was very
much like bringing coal to Newcastle" and
it will probably be many year before the ex-
pertinent will be repeated. Savannah sells
this commodity not only to the merchants of
this State, but also in several States adjoining
Her merchants are now supplied with full
stocks, and are ready to supply all de- mands of
the trade, which is opening briskly.
GRAIN.
We have to report a very heavy business for
the past year. The total failure of the grain
crop of last year in the sections Of the country
tributary to Savannah necessitated the buying
Of grain earlier and in larger quantities than
usual The reduction made last April by the
Railroad Commissioners Of the local rates of
freight on grain to all points to fifty per cent.
less than old rates benefited our trade exceed
ingy, as our territory was thereby la g sly in
creased, our merchants being able to sup Iy
towns with grain that had formerly drawn
their supply direct from the West, The de-
mand for corn for the months OF March, April
and May was unprecedented; for June not so
heavy This was caused bv the oat crop being
harvested in that month said crop beng a .
very large ED fine enc and great relief to
the farmers. as to a great extent it took the
place of the corn they would have had to buy.
The prospects are for the next few months /
we Will be sellers instead CT buyers Of corn.
From all reports the corn crop of Georgia is
larger and of better quality than ever before |
known, aDd Is beiag offered freely from the |
interior for shipment from within two to three /
weeks. The demand for old corn here IL OF no |
consequence. Only an occasional 'ot or mixed |
IS sold. White corn has q freer mogen-a rt for |
tie .9Cal trade and milling purposes
TOBACCO AND CIGARS.
The army OF drumuers travelling in the i1.
terest OF several represent alive houses IN this .
line In our city, are prac ical az cence Oh the .
large quantity Of tobacco and cigars that is /
distributed by Savannah through this and ta3e
several adjoining SLaf55 P~ObablY no exclu-
Sve line is conducted with such keen compe-
tition and system. Stocks are a. ~ seasons /
large and complete, and the tastes OF Che
smoker and chewer are so carefully studied /
that ALL from the small boy who is now taking
his first Whit, to the connoisseur OF ante bel
lum days, may here have their desire fer the
weed gratifed.
HIDES. SKIS. WOOL AND WAX.
The large business in this line clearly dem.
onstrates that shrewd shippers appreciate the
advantages of our markets and seek no other
on let for this class of products, During the
year in review hides were in active demand,
with but little huctuation. Deer skins and
small furs have brought full prices closing
however now at probably the lowe t point of
the season and with light receipts The clip
of wool was received in fairly light condition
and in number of pounds did not increase over
the preceding year. The market was active
and grove received satisfactory prices
Beeswax always finds ready market here.
COFFEE.
Owing to the great fluctuations in the market
for the past year, this branch of trade hes
been Of a very unsatisfactory character
Prices are now steady, with good dem md,
and an increase of sales have been shown over
previous years.
HARDWARE AND IRON.
There has been a good trade for the past
year, and present indica ions denote an in
crease in consumption and demand for this
branch of trade.