Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-27
SOUTHERN CEREALS.
The Present Year Opening GlOomily
for business.

IL ECsCh S"A OP
for Business
AUGUSTA, Ga, May 26.-The year
1882 opened glOOmily for business. The
disastrous crops of 1881, caused blythe
long drought, left farmers little surplus
with which to commence operations
for another season, and merchants re-
fused in many cases to supply either
money or provisions to those who were
behind in accounts. Planters were then
forced to live close to the line, and mer-
chants carried small stock for the COM
ing season. The Advance of spring,
however, developed a crop of cereals in
the South unprecedented since the a
The season of frosts and of rust was
safely passed, and as harveat time is
nearing the prospects Of the planter,
crippled by short crops and low prices
|. of 1881, are visible improved. A stronger
feeling is prevailing among business
men, and a more liberal policy is being
adopted for the country. The large pro-
duce houses of Augusta now report an
excellent trade. The demand from the
country for corn and meats; notwith-
standing the high prices prevailing for
produce and provisions, is very fine,
and there is q much freer feeling among
sellers TO dispose oftheir stOckto farmers.
In fact, the very causes which crippled
the Southern cotton and provision crop
have operated to place our planters in
greater need of the necessities of life,
and since the pressure of temporary
| poverty has been lifted from them brisk
trade has sprung up greatly exceeding
| that of last year. The same is true in
the case of breadStuff. Western flour IS
finding reader sale, while u local
mills report increasing orders over last
wear for both flour and meal. While
the volume and tone of business in the
produce and provision line are fuller
and stronger than last year, there is a
corresponding falling offin thesale of the
luxuries in the grocery line. Sugars,
coffee, teas, mOlasses and fancy grocer
les are not so largely purchased as be-
fore, and most of the country people
are pursuing strict economy, warned by
last years misfortunes. he,trade in
hardware, for jobbing lots, is about the
same as last year, while the demand for
all kinds of agricultural implements Is
unprecedented. The immense yield OF
oats and the fine prospect for wheat are
| creating a demand for all kinds oil
binders, reapers, mowers and thrashers.
The manufacturers of fertilizers report a
falling offin the sales from last year,
although more guanO has been dis
posed of than was first supposed. The
| decrease will probably be fifteen per
cent, and most of our factories will
carry over some stuffto the next season.
Cotton factories report better orders
than last season and larger sales are
noted on all sides. Larger dividends
are paid and greater SURPRISES shown by
factories in Augusta and its vicinity
than in 1881; indeed, most of them are
ahead of 1880. Within the last year
one factory representing. Sl,0OO,OOC
capital has been completed here; an
extension of $780, 900 added to a second,
while subscriptions amounting to ST.,
coo, eco have been made for the third,
which is now erecting in Augusta. The
stand of cotton in the country, which
always affects the business of the South,
is now very fair, and no damage is re-
ported by the cold spells of the past
two weeks. The business in this region
now is in q state of healthy reaction,
and the prospect, if not the actual con.
dition, Of planters and merchants and
manufacturers, is more assuring than
for two years past. Railroads in this
region report excellent local business IN
both freight and passenger traffic, al
though total receipts thus far are posi-
bly, behind either the reports of 1881 Oh
$50.