The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-29
CONDITION OF TRADE.
A Pronounced Upward Tendency
in Many Articles.
Coal Getting to Be an Expensive Luxury,
High Prices for Feedstuffs-Hops and
Wool Firm-Lumber Higher.

Some merchants note loss of trade con-
sequentupon the approaching election. How
ever, others are enjoying increased business
from the very same cause, so the election
probably euualizes itself. There is really no
loss, for our local bank clearings last week
were SD, JO5,.;37, against STATS, IA for the
correspond ng week last year, when there
was no election.
Money is in ample supply for all ordinary
requirements and rates are steady.
Silver has continued to decline and Is now
down to 81 o., the lowest price since July.
1t may be broadly said that the general
tendency of both produce and merchandise
is upward. and perusal of the following
paragraphs will show a remarkable drift to-
ward high prices We have higher prices
for barley, hops, coal, lumber feedstuffs,
hay, and so on down through list of minor
articles, while but few show lower prices.
The coal market is excited and coal is now
so dear that it is becoming an expensive
luxury rather than necessity that ought to
be within reach of poor mans purse.
THE CEREAL MARKETS.
Cereals show no marked change. Wheat
is quiet and the exports thus far this month
are only fourteen cargOes, or about one
every two days. Prices rule weak.
Barley is very stiffly held at the high
prices, but the enhanced values operate
against the demand and the market is quiet.
Oats are somew hat higher and steadily
held at the advance.
White corn is firm. Small round yellow
corn is in large supply and weak. Large
yellow is firm.
Rye is steadily held, but quiet. Bran is in
such quick demand that the mllers can
hardly fill their orders. Both bran and
miGdlings have again been marked up. and
are very expensive articles at present.
GENERAL COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Hay rules firm and occasional sales Of ex-
ira choice wheat as high as SIG are reported.
Straw is strong.
Beans are coming in heavily and continue
unsettled Reds are frmer, bayos, whites
and pinks are about stationary, and Limas
have declined under increasing receipts Of
new crop.
Potatoes have declined under heavy re-
ceipts. Onions. however, are higher.
Fresh butter is in increasing supply and
easy. Picked roll butter has advanced to
20 cents for the best and the demand for 1t
is sharp. Cheese is firm and choice mild
new Is wanted.
The poultry market has been glutied dur
ing the week and very low prices have ruled.
Tie famine in eggs has been broken by
liberal receipts from the East, and the mar
ket has declined from ~ cents to > cents
PEI uOLCHs 0LOLhSs uOhChCls ult nAil ll5bA.
but the demand is slack, as buyers are
holding off for still lower prices.
There has also been sort of famine in
the homely article Of garlic for year or
more, but this also has been broken by the
arrival of carload from Italy, which sold
al So TO 1917 cents per pound Another car
is said to he on the way, and the market is
weak.
Grapes of all descriptions have been in
heavy supply. Otherwise the fresh fruit
market is featurelesS.
Dried fruits show number of slight varia-
tionS. Peaches are steadier. Pitted plums
are stiff and wanted. Apples, grapes and
prunes show more toIe at fractional ad-
Vances.
In nuts Brazils are scarce and high, and
all other kinds are firm.
Hops are very firm at 81 to 20 cents for
the best, with 40 cents generally asked by
holders A local circular says that there are
several London orders on the market for
choice lots at 80 cents, but growers are for
the most part holding at 40 cents, with every
indication OF their being able TO realize that
pslce. Recent reports from London quote
that market active and that the stock of En-
glish hops has already been all cleared.
There are only very light offerings from
Germany, so that Pacifcs are much sought
after and Will ind ready sale.
Wool is In good demand at firm prices,
The meat market is amply supplied and
unchanged,
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
Imports Of staple groceries at this port