The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-22
DOWN TOWN.
Money-The Wholesale Grocery Trade
Country Produce-Fresh Beef
Boots and Shoes.

L
shade easier than on the previous day, but the
difference was too slight to affect transactions.
| The bank discount rate was per cent; call
loans to 6per cent. The stock market open
| ed weak but closed with slight upward ten
dency. There was no change in local NUM-
| cipal bonds but Maine Central stock was a
| little flrmer. The Boston market was also
| quiet and easier with light transactions in
| money and stocks.
| The wholesale grocery trade of Portland can
be reported as fairly active, with good pros
pect ahead for some time. Orders come for
ward literally from the interior, the country
dealers doubtless feeling that should any
change take place it will be to their ad-
vantage rather than the opposite. Collections
are prompt, showing an easier state of the
money market among buyers. The general
testimony is that the volume of trade is much
larger than last year. We observe, also, a very
decided enlargement of territory supplied the
merchants of distant points having had their
attention drawn toward Portland of late. AL
together there is buoyant feeling on the
street which is very gratifying.
The country produce market yesterday
ruled quiet. In some articles dizziness was
remarked because stocks are low. Butter.
which has ruled high of late, is now little
weaker, in anticipation Of the arrival of the
supplies of new from the West before long.
The stock of cheese for home consumption is
light and prices are firm. New cheese ought
to come forward from the West very soon
at present the market is nearly bare of domes-
tic manufacture. During the winter the ex-
ports of Canada andWestern cheese by steamer
to Liverpool has been very large, the exports
for March being over 1000 boxes Eggs are
scarce and at higher prices than usual at this
season of the year; hut the market is fiuctu-
ating and unsteady. At present the demand
exceeds the supply The high prices may be
explained on the ground that as meats have
become dear, eggs have been adopted largely
as substitute, and the consumption has in
creased. Beans continue scarce. Good pea
beans will quickly bring 1886 per bushel in
this market. Large quantities of European
beans have been sold here during the past
winter, and they have served to keep the
price of the popular domestic esculent within
reach of the average consumer The maple
sugar crop is reported as light and not in very
liberal supply. Small cakes sell at IL to IL
cents, and syrup weighing II pounds to the
gallon, in cans, rules at 81 per gallon.
The market for fresh beef is quiet, with
steady demands The present high prices
have somewhat curtailed consumption. but
the orders come forward pretty well. Beef is
reported as very scarce in the West, but the
supply for our local market and to meet the
Al. 4L.<
to look to Portland as certain distributing
point, has been maintained fairly First class
grain fed beef commanded from IL to IA
cents for four quarters and Is IL to IA IL
cents for hind quarters yesterday. Dealers an
ticipate high prices all summer, for several
reasons: First, the really high cost of grain
feed and an actual scarcity of cattle in the
West The first cause must continue until
the price of corn is reduced by the new crop;
the second may be modified somewhat by the
advent of grass-fed Southern cattle in the
Western markets early in July; but their
quality will be inferior and they will not be
brought East in sufficient quantities to affect
the market materially. 1t is said that good
young breeding cattle command high prices
in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin; and we
are told that many choice heifers have been
purchased at the East for breeding purposes
in those States, as the price for such is lower
here than there. With all these conditions to
contend with, added to the constant demand
from abroad, the prospect of cheap beef for
several months to come is not encouraging.
The boot and shoe business is just at its
height and manufacturers and jobbers are
busy The new samples are being placed in
the hands of buyers and orders for fall goods
are coming in quite freely. The principal
field for Portland trade is the States of Maine'
New Hampshire and Vermont, though some
houses manufacture largely for Western con-
SUMPTION and the goods are sent direct to
agents who control distribution in that section.
Without exception the report is that the
volume of business is quite as large as last
year; some of the dealers experience an in
crease, and those who have enlarged their
facilities for producing have fully realized
their antieipations of a larger trade. The con-
dition of things in the West is favorable to
steady market at good prices, with an indica-
lions of an advance later in the season in con-
sequence of the firm tone of raw material. The
New England market is in good condition with
promises of quick sales and quick returns.