Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-09

The New York Journal Of Commerce in its
comments last week on the present state of
many leading interests which more or less in
fluence trade and financial affairs throughout
the country, contains very full reviews, from
which we make few compilation.
The stock market, acting under the stimulus
Of Increased earnings and the renewal of bond
purchases by the Secretary of the Treasury
continued on the upward course which it has
been following since about the middle of the
month.
The cal nings of forty two roads for the third
week OF April show an increase Of 81 per cent.
over the same period last year. The earnings
OF seyenty.fou roads for the second week of
April show an increase OF "A per cent. over the
corresponding period last year.
Wheat and corn were governed almost en-
tirely by conflicting reports regarding the pros
poets of the coming crops and fiuctuate rapidly
within narrow limits. The export business.
both for the United Kingdom and the conti-
nent was very light. except that during the
lntter part OF the week there was a good busi-
ness done in wheat for export to Lisbon. which
was attributed to prospective increase by
Portugal of the duty on wheat. Nothwtth-
standing the unsettled condition of the wheat
market there was considerable trading In flour
at reasonably strong prices.
General business showed slight improve
ment for the week. and interior cities, with
few unimportant exceptions. evinced a DISPOSE
ton to increase their stocks OF goods of all
kinds
Speaking of the 30th annual report of the
New York Chamber of Commerce, which has
just been issued. the Journal remarks:-
"In looking over 1t ones surprise is excited
anew, when he notes the large variety Of subs
jects-Federal, State and Municipal-with re-
gard to which the Chamber expresses its mind
clearly and boldly. There is probably no other
association of business men in the world now
taking so Influential part in the settlement
of all questions relating to good and economical
government. 1t may be justly called a CYCLIC
paedia presenting. in moderate compass, a vast
amount OF knowledge well classified and trust
worthy as reference book and business guide
for all persous who know how to estimate the
future from the past"
From a summary ofthe Western wheat out
look made up recently at Toledo, from twenty
five hundred crop reports from grain.dealers
and millers ofthe six principal Winter wheat
States which raise over third of the wheat
crop of the United States. we compile as fol-
lows:-
Kansas reports excellent prospects-better
than any year since 1884, when they raised S.
100000 bushels but on an acreage of over two
millions. while the acreage this year is only
about three quarters ofa million. Weather has
been favorable there, and reports are nearly all
better than when the April Agricultural
Bureau report was gathered. the amount plow-
ed up being very small. Farmers there will be
compelled to sell, causing free movement
early.
Missouri has fair prospects, tritie better
than three weeks ago, but somewhat worse
than year ago, when they had very large
crop A trifls larger amount than usual has
been plowed up.
In the other States the season is backward,
nearly third of the reports saying there has
not been enough growing weather to show the
actual condition of the crop. but majority
seem to think that warm rains soon would
improve the appearance.
Indiana reports that nearly quarter of the
acreage has or will be plowed up; Illinois is
about f1fth; Ohio about ons-eighth. while it
is too early to tell about Michigan.
Present prospect is about two thirds of a
crop in Michigan, nearly that in Ohio and Hill
nois while Indiana seems to be the poorest
The condition is worse in all four of the States
than it was three weeks ago. Weather has
been cold and dry and the crop has suffered,
warm rains being badly needed few of the
counties in Indiana, Ohio aud Illinois say
prospects are batter than a year ago, but they
are exceptions as large maj ority report them
much worse"
In the three past issues of the SPECTATOR in
formation of the Western prospects for Wheat
crop, were published. substantially of the same
import as the above. This comes from differ
ent source. was compiled more recently and
contains some additional facts.