The Indianapolis journal., 1884-05-20
TRADE AND COMMERCE.
Blue Neutrality-suspicious. Rains-Muddy
Country Roads Interfering with Trade.

Blue Neutrality-suspicious. Rains-Muddy
Country Roads Interfering with Trade.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 49,
1t was a blue Monday, but few country
merchants in, and order business light. A ma
jority of our merchants, however, state that the
volume of business for few days past has av-
eraged with the corresponding period in former
years. Ourmest conservative business men say
that it is not likely that the effects OF the New
York railroad stock panic can extend to mer
camille credit generally is it likely that any
thing else upon which banks lend money can de-
cline much in value Wheat, corn, provisions,
cotton, iron, leather. dry goods. groceries, etc,
have long ago experienced their decline to
about their minimum prices; and though trade
in these may be, and probably will be very dull
until next autumn, the value of these articles
cannot decline much more, and the credit based
on them at their present valuationsi is practically
sound. Dry goods men here are having fair
trade. Eastern papers state no iinpcc4r1ant
changes have been announced in prices, but on
most of the popular makes of brown and bleached
sheetlngs and shirtings agents are demanding
slight advance in one shape or another. The
general depreciation in stocks may have weak
ening effect on the cotton market, and this may
give the mills a chance to get supplies of the
raw material at a cheaper rate, but no depend
ence can be placed on this at present Mill
managers continue to reduce production and will
adhere to this policy, they assert, until there is
a more favorable outlook. This includes colored
goods as well as plain fabrics and must have a
beneficial effect before many weeks passed,
The production of prints has also been consid-
efably reduced. The popular styles are well
sold up and held at full prices, while others
which are not desirable are being forced off at
irregular prices.
The flour market is gradually working into
| better shape. The downward turA in prices has
been checked for both high and low grades, with
no prospect of any material change for some
two or three months, as during that time there
is likely to be scarcity of good, sound. reliable
-four that will stand the test of the warm
weather. The trade may continue to purchase
in small lots, but whenever they are compelled
to replensh stocks they will have to pay full cur
rent prices for all leading brands, as Western
millers are now very Indifferent about making
contracts. The exports of wheat show falling
off of about % 600 600 bushels since the LIST of
September as compared with last year. Our ex
ports of flour do not show so large a falling off,
and compare as follows with last year:
lSS3S4 19S2-S So
To Great Britain 3 ,509,840 3,900,332
10 the Continent---..- l76,490 212,3O2
10 other ports. II, S43,5S1 1,S21,7 ,742
Total l-......--....5,5 ,529.911 1884, ,376
or falling off as compared with last year. since
the lst of September, a little more than eight
months, of 404, 465 barrels The recent adYices
from Great Britain indicate steadier and lrmer
market for -four but there is no margin for
Shipment except for special brands
GRAIN.
"Little doing" covers the local market The
Board of Trade Price Current says of wheat
The markets are weaker all around, and in local
circles all grades are dull, and bids are generally
for small lots for immediate use. Receipts very
light. Futures in fair request only, with light
offerings New York 1-2c lower, Baltimore 1-2c
to 3 4c, and Chicago shows the marked decline
of 5-Sc from Saturday, We quote;
No. Mediterranean
No. Mediterranean Observation-Disclosures. los
30 . E9euiterranean 1'Oo
May -----.------.----------.-- 102
June 7-;.---------.---,-.. 49922ii2
Corn-Continues firm, and bidding prices are
shade lower, yet offerings are so light as to make
trading impossible. Futures not wanted New
York 12c off Baltimore LIE to Lac lower, and
Chicago l-2c lower. We quote
No. white --.,.-..-......-.--...--.5
yellow -.----.------.---------.-5 90
high mixed -,-----.------.-------5
Mixed Sd
499i-;
Rejected d
6nmerchantabie :--.--,.-...--.---,--5
Sound ----+------...--.-----54 81
Oats-Steady; light inquiries; few sellers.
Arrivals meager. We quote
No. white 36l2
Rye-Firm; 64c bid; no sellers.
Bran-Nominal; nothing doing.
Hay-Prime Timothy, steady sl25e bid no
sellers
GRAIN IN STORE.