Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-01
ASUMMARY OF TRADE
The Week Shows Increased Volume
in Produce Lines, but
ADOWNWARD TENDENCY IN PRICES
Corn Scarce and Higher---FlOur on the
Ascending Scale.
COFFEEs DROP, SUGARS ADVANCE
OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DISPATCH, I
SATURDAY, June %. 1889.

OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DISPATCH,
SATURDAY, June %, 1889
The week has been noted for the fresh ar
rivals .of watermelOns, cantaloups, black
berries and home-raised potatoes. While
daily rains have more or less retarded trade,
the volume of business has increased in almost
all produce lines. New potatoes are in abun-
dant supply and at least SOC per barrel lower
than a week ago.
Said a leading produce commission man: ~
have handled a large quantity of stuff the
past week, but at such reduced prices that
margins will be very close. 1t begins to look as
though we are going to have another season
very much like last season, when stuff of every
kind was in oversupply. We last year handled
more goods than ever we did. but made far less
money than in scarce years. These abundant
years are all right Tor the consumer, but fur
nish poor pickings for producer and middle
men,"
Another said: 81 have done better this week
than for a month or two past. While prices
are declining and prom S are small, 1t is better
condition of things when we are handling large
quantities of stuff al even small profits than to
stand all the day idle in the market places. l
have sold to-day close to 400 barrels OF Tennes-
see new potatoes, and am glad to be kept busy
The week has brought an upward movement
in tropical fruits The approach of the Fourth
of July brings new activity to the lemon and
bunch for firsts within a week.
One of our leading jobbers of cheese, butter
and eggs said: There has been little change
in prices of our goods this week, but markets
have been active and firm for cheese and eggs.
Our cheese sales for the week will be not less
than 1000 boxes. Butter has been quiet. Coun-
try rolls have been coming in in larger quantity
than demand warranted, and the result has
oeen easy markets all along butter lines"
Cereals.
Receipts in the line of grain and hay are be-
yond the wants of trade. with corn as the ex-
ception. There has been a scarcity and a con-
sequent upward movement of corn all the
week. -Four, too, has Joined in the upward
drift. The price for which the best spring
patents can be laid down for here, in wood, is
fully 35c per barrel above the lowest point
touched week or two ago. Some brands in
search of trade were offered here as low as
IS 30. and standard brands could. within few
weeks, be laid down at IS 40 Ten DAYS ago the
situation was decidedly in the buyers favor
Now the situation i reversed. The best offer
of Minneapolis mills this week is So IS delivered
here in carload lots. While wholesale rates
remain unchanged, the wholesaler who buys
his stock now must pay at least 25c per barrel
more than he was required to pay couple of
weeks ago. Besides advance in prices, there is
much greater activity to trade. Said one
jObber: Il have sold fully one-third more -four
this week than last" ana so say they all.
An advance in flour cannot be long delayed
from present appearances. 1t is one of the
freaks of business human nature that when
products are dirt cheap there is disposition
TO buy sparirgly. Now that there is an active
and upward movement -four buyers are more
inclined to invest. In connection with the
grain trade. it is pleasant to note among the
events of the week shipment of eight to ten
carloads of shelled corn from that wonderfully
prolific county of Illinois, Champagne, to the
Pittsburg Grain Exchange to be sold for the
benefit of the sufferers OF the Conemaugh
Valley.
Groceries and Provisions.
The features of the grocery trade for the
week are the rise IN sugar and drop in coffee.
The new of jobbers here is that both move:
ments are largely speculative. Sugar has
failed TO make its daily advance for few days,
but is SO very firm that a rise is generally
looked for at an early day. Coffee options have
partially recovered from the drop of a day or
Two, put markets close weak for roasted at q