Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-05

that territory last year as great "a quantity OF
heavy goods as usual. The fact that the dis
tance from this point to the territory in ques-
ton is hardly one-third as great as it is from
New Orleans TO that point ought to operate in
favor OF Savannah.
The trade in canned goods last year was
heavier than usual, but o~yerproduction con-
tinued to keep prices very low. The sales of
Hour were heavier than ever known before,
and there are now several firms handling from
1880 to 1000 barrels monthly. The demand
for butter and cheese was very active. and
transactions reached enormous proportions,
surprising those OF anv previous wear, with
values very low. Merchants generally say
that In comparison with other or previous
seasons collections were remarkably good.
Interior merchants paid up more promptly.
ana there were not as many asking long
credits as heretofore. The new railroads Of
the Plant system have added to, as well as
strengthened the grocery trade Of this port,
ana through them our merchants have been
making extraordinary efforts for new terri
tory, in which they have been generally sue
cessful. They have succeeded in getting
many new customers in Florida. Taken all
in all, 1t can be said that the trade was quite
satisfactory.
AS to the outlook the prospects are excel
lent. A large business is now being done and
there is every reason to believe that 1t Will
continue. The crops promise well and the
country merchants are In good trim.
PROVISIONS.
Since the last annual report a considerable
change has taken place in the values of the
uOk product. Inc corn crop OF the country
for 1884 was the largest ever grown in the
United States, and plenty Of corn means
plenty of hogs, The supply has steadily
grown, whereas the demand has fallen of,
much TO the surprise OF packers and dealers
in this line. That Europe would take less Of
the product. owing 10 the embargoes placed
on this TRADE, was a weil-known fact, but
that the home trade would
show a smaller demand was a puzzle
which for n long time was u~naccountable.
but has been finally solved by the fact that
the South, the heaviest consumer, had raised
q larger supply OF homemade meats, and was
thus buying less from the West than usual. The
Inevitable result Of large supplies and small
demand has shown itself in the prices OF the
hog product since the commencement of the
provision year iNovember). Prices have
steady declined until at present they are
scarcely more tn an one half OF the ruling figures
Of one year ago, and with large and ample
stocks in producing centres the prospect
of any advance is very poor. II
the growing crop of corn IN the West
should meet with no disaster, though 1t Is
probable that even lower prices than at pres
emit will prevail.
To any one familiar with a dull, declining
market, as has been the case this year, il need
not be said that trade has not been s~atisfac-
tory. None can boast that there has been any
money in It..
Amidst all these d~iscouraging features the
provision trade Of Savannah has steadily
worked itself into a prominence, now uni
versally acknowledged a foremost rank as a
depot of supplies. On all occasions Savan-
nah's stock has been found TO be one of large
and varied kinds, always ample for her
wants and any extra demand. Many interior
merchants have diverted the western orders
to this point, finding that, so far as prices and
quickness Of transportation are concerned,
their interests were best served by purchas-
ing their supplies here. On all occasions has
the decline in prices been given to the trade
by the Savannah merchants with the same
celebrity as advances have been taken, and
the conservatism Of the provision trade is now
an es ablished fact. Whilst no money has been
made, there has been not a failure the entire
year in this line in Savannah, which, when
numbers as well as amount of capital en-
ployed be taken in account, speaks volumes
for the provision trade in the city. What
other line can say the same in this year of de-
preston ana encouragement The receipts OF
bacon during the past year were 6,342,l S7
pounds, and of lard 2,O95,991 pounds.
WOOL.
The past seasons wool business was about
on a par with that of the previous one. Low
prices were the rule. The gross receipts at
this market were ABOUT 100000 pounds, and
fully as much az last year. Prices varied but
little, opening the Sear at l9c. and running
along at that figure until the month of July,
when they began to iuctuate, and 2015e. was
reached. which Is still the price. There was
always a very active market, caused by the
sharp competition of local buyers. There was
no profit to the shippers or middlemen. The
producer made more money by shipping to
this market than if he had shipped elsewhere,
as the prices were relatively better that in
Northern markets. The shippers here also
saved in freight and cost of handling.
The receipts of Georgia wool are falling of
gradually from year to year on account OF the
low price of wool, doubtless. A feature OF
the past reasons business was that there was
q marked falling of in through shipments
which was lighter than any previous season.
producers prefering to realize the advance Of
the local markets. The business of wool man
ufacturing is currently reported to AVE m
proved a good deal within the past two
months. No substantial gain of prices has
occurred as yet, but it is thought that the re-
vival has come too late for our market a. the
clip is about all marketed. The total ship
ments from this port for the year amount to
4,204 bales, moving as follows: to Boston S,7T5
bales, to New York 1852 bales, and 10 Phladel-
phia 81 bales.
The hide market during the year seems 10
have displayed about the same features as the
wool market with but few exceptions. Prices
we're uniformly steady and averaged about
l8l50l4c. There was a considerable falling
of in the receipts of hides during the year as
well as in the shipments both local and
through. This is caused by the falling on IN
the number of cattle during the season, which
SEEING to be diminishing every year. Farmers
are apparently deyoting their attention more
and more TO agriculture. The magnificent
ranges in the wiregrass regions OF South
Georgia are gradually losing their herds OF
cattle and sheep. The matter of through
shipments seems TO be interfering also every
year with the business Of the local market,
anu new pIOudlcfo W AphnA ~ lnE fAo
through shipment plan to Northern markets.
although prices, as a rule, are propOrtionately
better in this market. The total shipment OF
hides from this port was only 1892 bales,
which went to the followingports: To Boston,
AIS bales; 10 Baltimore, 1881 Bales; to New
York, 1853 bales; TO Philadelphia, III bales.
DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS.
This business suffered during the year
from many of the characteristics which pre-
vailed in the two previous years. The volume
| OF trade waslarger, but prices were lower. The
trade had TO contend with heavy and close
competition with northern and southern
houses in certain localities, notably in Flor
ida, where railroad rates were rather against
Savannah. II cannot be SAID that the trade
has acquired much new territory. Its trav-
elers were kept pretty constantly on the road,
and the cross roads business, as well as that
OF the small towns, was thoroughly drummed.
There was quite a satisfactory business done,
however, but the margin OF profit was small.
The losses were few and the aggregate was
comparatively small and well distributed.
Interior merchants last fall met their oblga-
tions quite promptly, and there was less car
rying over. Another feature OF the years
business was that interior merchants were
less disposed TO buy in northern markets., as
IL was found that they could do as well here
both in prices and goods. The outlook for
the present year is hattering. A revival OF
all Otner trades IN the country means pros
perIty in the dry goods trade. At all events
there is a cheerful and confident feeling eN-
isting among dry goods merchants generally
FRUTTg AKIN