Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-26
THE TREND OF TRADE
Government Reports as to the Outlook
for Winter Wheat.
CARRIAGE HARDWARE ACTIVE.
Manufacturers of Springs and Axles Be-
hind in Orders.
PITTSBURGS NEED OF WAREHOUSES;
CARRIAGE HARDWARE ACTIVE.
NEED OF WAREHOUSES;
OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DISPATCH, I
TnEsnAX Eahrnarv 25 1900 4

TUESDAY. February y, lSSu
The Government report of winter wheat
seeded, gives an increase of 2 per cent in
acreage in Kansas, Tennessee, Texas and
Missouri. According to this report the
winter wheat through the Middle States is
at this stage in generally fair condition. In
Virginia and Maryland the uplands are in
good shape but low lands and valleys.do not
promise SO we'll on account of excessive rains
Farther south the outlook for winter wheat is
better
In West Virginia the autumn growth was
Slow but plants are fairly well developed at
this stage, and unless unexpected difficulties
arise the prospect is good for an average crop.
In OHIO and Michigan there were unusual de-
lays in seeding. owing to drought in the latter
part Of last summer. Up to December growth
was very slow in the latter States but mild
weather and warm rains since December have
greatly improved prospects. On the Pacific
coast all signs point to another good crop.
Rains in that section have been general and IN
some sections very heavy. The latest Govern
ment report places the condition of the winter
wheat crop at 95.3 per cent as compared with
the average at this time Of the year.
Asto Carriage Hardware.
The carriage hardware trade so far this year
shows an improvement over last year. In the
line of springs and axles our Pittsburg manu-
fscturers find 1t difficult to keep up with orders.
There are four establishments in this city and
Allegheny turning out this line of goods, and
all are reported as working up to their full ca
pacity. The firms are Singer, NImick & Co.,
Smith Brothers & Co, Ligett & Co. and Ahl-
born & Neckerman. The latter firm is confined
to the manufacture of aXles alone. In this de-
partment of hardware Pittshurg is the head
center in the United States. Prices have been
advanced a numf eT of times the past year ow-
ing TO the advance in steel, and there has been
total advance within the year of about 20 per
cent
Une OF our foremost dealers in carriage
hardware said to-day: ''Orders for springs and
axles are coming in SO freely thar we find it
difficult to fill them. Manufacturers of this
line of goods are all working up to their full
capacity and some report they are away
behind in orders. Pittsburg is looked
10 in all parts Of the country as the main source
of supply. Cincinnati, which is a leading Gen.
ter, for buggy and wagon manufacture gets
from this city a large portion of its springs and
axles. Our city and Johnstown have also be-
come of late years one Of the chief sources of
supply for steel tires. The iron tire. like the
iron nail. has become thing of the past. Open
hearth Bessemer steel has the call for wagon
and carriage tires. The Cambria Works have
heretofore had the lead in this department of
the steel industry. but since the flood at Johns
town have not been able to meet their orders
promptly. The Solar Iron Works and the
Linden Steel Company of this city are turning
out steel tires, and. from all accounts have all
they can do in this line"
There is one department Of the carriage
hardward trade IN which dealers of this city
will be forced to charge up good deal to profit
and loss account for this seasOn-namely the
trade in robes and blankets. There will be
little need of laying in supplies in this line for
the coming winters trade. Said one dealer:
I'VE have now had several open winters, and
find ourselves left on robes and blankets this
season. Our customers are generally well
supplied, and, from present appearances, we
VIII need to purchase very little IN this line the
year to come"
The mild. open winter has upset many nice
laid plan for gain, and among those who have
suffered keenly from the mild weather are all
dealers in wooden goods. for which there has
been no call this phenomenal season.
Need of Storage Houses.
One Of our leading merchants said to-day:
zone of Pittsburgs greatest needs at this time
is places for storage The demand for Offices
which was very strong a year or two ago has
now been fairly neteb by the erection of large
business blocks. There is no longer any diff
Guilty in finding Offices. But the need OF ware
houses and places for storing goods in the busi-
ness part Of the city is more pressing than
ever. have been on the search to find place
for storage this week or two past and have
searched in vain. In my opinion capitalists
could make no better investment at this time
than by putting up warehouses along Duuuesne
way, where property is comparatively low or
along the alleys in the old part of the CITY
where wholesale merchants who are cramped
for room could keep in stock the goods which
are needed for their trade. A new block OF
warehouses, which was recently completed on
Seventh avenue, went off like hot cakes. The
builder is sorry that he leased SO soon, as he
could have done 80 per cent better by waiting
little longer.
"If there is any doubling Thomas who is un-
willing TO accept my views, let him do as have
done, try and get place to store his goods in
any central part of the old city,"