St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-08
WEEKLY REVIEW.

The market during the past week has improved
somewhat and was little more active. still it is
not in the condition it ought to be ill., few
bright days would improve it greatly. Still, as
long as in all lines there is increase in the ag
gregate amount of sales over that of last year,
there is less for complaint. This year,
owing to the cheapness of nearly all kinds of
goods, our dealers are compelled TO handle an
unusually large amount in order to do the same
volume Of business. Looking back over the
period that has elapsed since our last review of
dry goods, we find that fair number of country
merchants have been in making their spring
selections. Purchases, as rule, while not ag-
gregating large lines were general, all descriptions
of fabrics receiving some attention. The order
demands were also active, if anything exceeding
the demand from personal buyers. Taken as a
whole the week may be termed good one, the
total sales footing equal to the largest of the
season. Cotton goods show increased activity,
popular makes being well sold up to production.
Cheviots are in good demand, especially printed
effects produced by the Edenburg, Winchester
& Glenaden company. Lawns, percales, piques,
nainsooks and other thin dress fabrics are more
sought after, with excellent prospects for good
season, if cool weather does not
put damper on the trade
Prices are steady and unchanged. The drug
trade is very active indeed and orders crowd
ing upon our dealers. One house reports an in
crease over last year during the month of Janu-
airy of S., 0G0. During February there was an
increase of So, 900 over the corresponding month
of 1884 and during March business increased
SIT, 900 over March 1884. Ginseng commands
good prices. Messrs Noyes Bros. Il Cutler ex-
pect to do larger business in this line than
ever before. The new pharmacy card is attract
ing the general attention of all druggists, and
its working will prove q safeguard, not only to
the public but also to the retail drug trade OF the
state. Citric and tartaric acids have adj
vanced along with pecac powder. Benzine has
declined slightly, otherwise quotations are with
out change. In groceries there has been more
active trade than there was the preceding week,
but goods arc much cheaper this year than
they were last that it requires the handling of
great many more in order to do the same amount
of business in dollars and cents Sugars are 81
per bbl less than they were last year, and syrups
still worse, while lard is SIS per Dbl less.
Nearly all articles in the grocery line about
the same. or course, this condition of prices in
cresses the amount of goods to be handled. In
hardware there is great activity, with fair collec
tons, and the market presents no specially
new features. Trade continues with about
the same volume as at our last
report. Few important changes in prices are to
be noted, the decline in nails, however, being CT
general interest. Tin plate and roofing have
also declined. The setting IN of spring weather
is beginning to tell on trade, and the demand is
asserting itself. While the lnmber dealers are
enjoying good trade 1t is not what they hoped
for aud expected The local demand is very
active, but business suffers from the arbitrary
rates established by the railroads in the interest
OF Chicago, to all points south and southwest OF
Omaha. Besides this the local demand itself
has suffered somewhat from the unpleasant
weather of the past week Boots and shoes are
firm, steady aud regular to quotations. Fin
ished iron and steel very active and firm, with
good demand all around. Leather is steady
and in good demand, with prices unchanged
In finished iron and steel there is no change to
note.