Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-02-03
RKETS,
INDICATOR OFFIc

fIHDlCATOR OFFICE,
| STAUNToN. Va, Feb. End. !
The Staunton markets for grain, seeds, hay
| flour and all kinds of country produce remain
| steady and there has been no material advance
| since our last issue IN anything except hay
| That article has been elevated to point where
shippers say they can barely reach it. The
best grade of Timothy sold to-day at $13 IS;
other grades are not much in demand, and in
ferior or off grades of mixed hay are not wan
ted at any price.
Wheat is holding its own though not advan-
cling just now. It has advanced so much more
than flour, that millers say they are now grind
ing at loss and are seriously considering
whether to continue grinding at loss or shut
down.
More interest centers just now in cloverseed
than anything else. This is the month when
trade in seed is most active as it is the time
when farmers in East Virginia send their or
ders here. The crop in Augusta was moderate.
Rockingham had comparatively none. But
an unusual quantity was carried over last
year; SO that at present the stock held in
Staunton and Augusta county is large. The
Western seed cannot be brought here at prices
now current. Nor can shippers buy to consign
to eastern markets. These being the circum-
stances and conditions of things; dealers are at
loss to know how to act They are quietly
waiting and buying such lots as they see, or
think they see an assured profit in.
Business in grain and hay has been restrict
ed during the last week by the G. & O. Rail
of all through rates on these articles from
Staunton to Southern points. 1t has handi-
capped our merchants greatly as it naturally
would. They are now on the ragged edge to
know whether the withdrawal of rates will be
permanent. The Chamber of Commerce
should consider whether it may not be useful
just here.
''Bradstreets' of New York, in the CONNER
cial report for the week ending last Saturday,
report decline of ] cent in wheat with a
lighter demand. The visible supply promised
to decrease 1900 bushels during the week
Rio Coffee has fallen seven-tenths of q cent
on options with slight demand and bearish
news from abroad. Raw sugar has declined
hree-sixteenths of a cent on advices from
abroad. Steel rails have fallen SO cents on
the week and are quoted at $3.50 at the
mill.
r. G. Dunn & Co.'s circular for the week
ending last Saturday, reports money in the
usual centres is easy, though close at distant
places and, the appearance of both foreign
and domestic trade is encouraging. The fall
ing off in foreign exports for December of
breadstuffs, cotton and provisions was pretty
evenly balanced by an increased export Of
cattle and petroleum The returns for Janu-
airy thus fer INDICATE an increase of S per
cent. in exports over last year, prices having
lately encouraged o more free movement of
products; but imports at New York, thus far,
show an increase of IA per cent, as exports
exceeded imports by twenty millions last
January. These reports point to continued,
though smaller, excess. The great strikes in
the anthracite regions continue, and the
scarcity of coal at many manufacturing points
makes the feeling prevail that resumption
of work in the coal mines may be followed
by lower prices of iron. At Pittsbgrg, Besse-
mer iron is Is cents lower, at Philadelphia
bar iron is quoted at $1.95 and sales of 80, 900
tons of steel rails to the Pennsylvania railroad