St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-24

There has been no change in the general
situation since our last review. except that
the market is gradually growing stronger and
firner us the season advances, and every
thing Is getting settled down 20 a permanent.
fixed basis. Prices, in a general way, are
tirming up. while the demand is improving.
Collections are satisfactory. The drug trade
continues active and with larger sales than
ever before at this season. Staple goods al e
low. with few exceptions, and advances are
looked for. Turpentiue is still very high, and
some essential oils, lemon, etc, continue TO
advance. Alcohol IS > cents per gallon lower
than IL was last week. Gum arabic is q trifle
less firm, but stin very hish. Blue vitriol is
sold very low here now. and the demand is
heavy. All prospects Tor the spring trade
are bright, and it viii probably be the larges {
in amount and widest in extent over done n
st. Paul. Our wholesale market is now so
complete that IL commands as never
before, from all the Northwest The
Dry goods trade shows a steady and grad
ualimprOvement. Each day brings increased
numbers OF personal buyers TO market for
spring stocks. Their purchases. as a rule,
are liberal, and all kinds of goods receive
some attention. The order demand shows an
Improvement, both IN the number and size.
Another week of warm weather viii result in
bringing a large number OF merchants to
market for spring stocks. From present ao-
pearances April viii be good month. The
market is firm at unchanged prices. Stocks
in first hands are very small, and many pop
uiar makes OF goods are sold ahead of Or O.
ductiOn. This fact is attributable, not
wholly to the demand, but partly TO
the cur'aied product, in consequence
OF damage to mills from floods,
as well as to the strikes in many
OF the manufacturing districts. A few weeks,
however, will probably remedy tins curtail-
ment, and unless the strikes become a good
deal more serious than they now are. we may
look for prospective output that will be
equal TO the increased demand when the
height of the activity OF the spring trade Is
reached. In dress fabrics of all descriptions
an unusually active demand manifestS itself.
The handsome patterns and great variety, as
well as the extreme cheapneSS OF these fab
RIGS. prov ng the attraction. The styles pro-
duced in prints, cambricS, percaes, seerSuck-
ers, lawns, ginghanlS and other wash
fabrics, far surpaSses those OF any
previous seasons production. while ther low
prices ut which they are offered render them
irresistible 20 buyers. The hardware business
is active and collections moderate. The
barbed wire market continues quiet and firm,
though it shows as yet few signs OF the grow
ing volume of trade which the spring should
bring with it, Nails are dull and weaker,
still buyers are not taking hold at the lower
figures quoted, and seem confident Of secur-
ing further concessions. Manufacturers. on
the other hand, claim that the cost OF manu-
fecture Is greater now than il was six months
ago; that the lower figures are named only
by few of the weaker concerns, and that
the statistical position. with stocks low all
around. do not make concessions necessary.
II is urged by them that on the contrary, the
spring demand. when II does come, will be
very large, and will bring about hardening
OF values. Groceries are firm and steady,
with no material change in prices, &C.
companied with an active trade. Lumber Is
firm, with gradually increasing trade as the
building season comes on. Quotations are
unchanged. In other departments there Is
nothing that requires special mention.