The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-14
CONDITION OF TRADE.
The Markets Quiet, With Not
Many Fluctuations.
Rot Much Observation-Disclosures Hardly as
Easy-Incrsase in the Local Clearing
House Exchanges.

Trade, while not dull, lacks snap. There is an
absence OF speculative demand, and spirit of
caution pervades nearly all lines. This is salts
factory. Better quiet market than a boom.
Better small profits than an OyersoId mercantile
community and year Of painful liquidation.
Still, 1t must not be inferred that business is
actually dull Collections are somewhat harder
than they have been, but the volume Of business
during the past four weeks has been larger than
during the corresponding period last year The
local Clearing house exchanges last week were
s15,o22,o0o, against s13, 1904, 900 for the same
week last year. During the rainy weather OF
January, February and March we fell behind
1889 in the matter OF these clearings, but are
now catching up at the rate OF million or two
week.
THE GRAIN MARKET.
There was less change in grain last week.
Wheat is weak at the close, In sympathy with a
decline at Chicago and Liverpool, 81 1924 being
full figure for Al shipping. At the same time
there is no anxiety among holders 10 sell, and as
shippers cannot operate without ships the mar
ket Is dull. The lack OF ships Is telling against
wheat There are only four dIsengaged ships in
port and they are American wooden vessels.
They are held above the views OF charterers, 81
lbs cd being bid anc 81 les 80 asked. Another
element OF weakness in wheat is the improve
crop prospects due to last weeks rain.
Fee barley is firm at the advance, but brew
ing grades are dun and not particularly wanted,
as the brewers are not buying at present.
The corner in oats still exists, but little Is
heard OF 1t. The outside dealers MAKE the mar
ket and quote the same as last week. Trade Is
dul as buyers purchase no more than they can
help.
Common corn is in sufficient supply, but choice
is rather scarce at slight advance. Rye is in
active.
Bran and mIddllngs have been marked down
during the week.
GENERAL COUNTRY PRODUCE.
The hop market continues to improve, and
dealers report advance OF 1 cent per pound
with a fair inquiry. Stocks vi really good hops
here are too small. however, for any extended
business. St sales at 10 and 1874 cents are
reported. The Washington crop remaining Is
estimated at 500 bales, and the California crop
at about 230o bales. There is no stock remain
Wool continues active at steady prices, and
there Is no accumulation OF stock.
Some new hay Is arriving, but 1t is only In
scattering lots, and the few sales thus far made
cannot be taken as guide. Haylng will be gen.
eral 10 week more when the new crop Will
doubtless come forward freely. The market at
present Is largely nominal.
Beans remain in the same position as last week.
The market is quiet.
Potatoes show very little change, being steady
under moderate stocks OF both old and new.
The onion market is depressed. owing to the
arrival OF S06 crates from Australia. Dealers
now show disposition to sell, as the new crop
Is coming forward freely.
Butter is In a bad way. The price Is too low
for profit and this is the second year of poor
returns. Encouragement is reported In many
districts Nor is the trade depression confined
TO this Coast.
A New York trade circular gives an equally
gloomy view OF the butter market OF the whole
United States. 1t says:
Probably no year in the trade has been more dis
astrous 10 the dealers here well producers
and It is hoped that lessons have been learned
which Will be of incalculable benefit during the
coming season. The creamery system has been
pushed so far into the Test that every year brings
into use wider territory for dairying purposes,
and, with the conditions reasonably favorable for
making butter, the production must show further
increase with each succeeding year. Home markets
can no longer take the quantity of stock made IN
this couatry, and European markets must be looked
TO outlet for surplus
Cheese Is weak at further decline, aud eggs
have gone down again and are dull
There Is some apprehension among Il ut-deal-
ers and Operators as to the fIuit crop. Present
indications point TO shortage In most kinds.
cherries and prunes are dropping from The trees
IN some districts, and tho peach crop will prob
ably be slender. For California prunes Sepiem-
Der delivery, 61z cents has been paid for 70's,
ana there are not many sellers at this price,
which is good one. Some houses sold at 5M
cents few days ago, but such purchases cannot
be duplicated now. Bids have been made at
Fresno for large lines OF raisins, fall delivery,
but no sales are reported, as The views OF grow
er are considerably over those OF buyers
The meat market Is heavily supplied with II
kinds, and beef, hogs and lamb have again de-
clined.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
The imports of staple groceries at this port
during the first four months OF 1890, compared
with The corresponding period Ia 1889, were as
follows: Sugar, SO. 1872 600 POUNDS against
LAT ,675, 900; coffee. 1885, 900 pounds against
10.653.0o0; rice. 22,23l 900 pounds against
23,0IS,oo0; tea, 3, 200 pounds against 788,.
GOO. COMPARED with The first four months OF
1889 there has been dec ease OF 58,6S3, 532
pounds sugar, or nearly 40 per cent From the
Hawaiian Islands alone We have received 3d.
12b, 1865 pounds less sugar than last year, There
has also been falling on Of 1851 200 pounds