Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-25
THE DRIFT OF TRADE.
The Cereal Boom in Some Measure
Speculative Movement.
TIE BULLS STILL HAVE THE FIELD
a Variety of Opinions as to Causes of High
Priced Eggs.
THE DROP IN HOMEMADE M0LASSES
THE DROP IN HOMEMADE MoLASsES
OFFICE OF PITTSBURG DISPATCH,
TUESDAY. March "a
The Cereal Room.

The Cereal Boom.
1t will be seen by reference to domestic
market column that cereal markets are in
an excited condition. The prediction made
by leading operators 4 week or two ago that
corn would go to 75c per bushel has been
more than fulfilled. as prices here have
passed this line. The price of oats has also
gone up until sale was made to-day of No.
. white at 60c per bushel.
How far the upward movement is specula-
tive and how far legitimate will be deter
mined in the next few days. That the stock
of corn and oats in the country
is unusually light for the time of
the wear is fully demonstrated. Latest
Government reports show greater
shortage than the most bullish estimates that
had been given out previously. There is little
doubt, however. that the bull movement has
been worked by spectators for more than there
is IN il, and that a reaction must come.
sand one OF our most reliable operators in
grain and hay, yesterday: 81 sold No. shell corn
from store this morning at 75c per bushel, but
could not now lay II down at this price. In my
judgment the boom in corn and oats Will grow
top heavy in the next day or two Those who
buy at present prices shonld sell quick. Specu-
lative influences have sent markets above the
advance that was justified by the short supply
in The country"
The Egg Market
The opinions of dealers TO the reasons for
the scarcity and high price of eggs the past
week are somewhat varied. The first week of
March eggs were slow at l6 to 611acper dozen in
Job lots and the markets were abundanty sup
piled. The past few days supply has been far
below demand at 26 to sc per dozen. Some
attribute the scarcity the cold snap, which
caused the hen to lose her grip. Others think
the bad condition of country roads has been
the main cause of shortage and high
price \ leading Liberty street commission
merchant had this to say of the egg boom: In
former years New ork drew heavily on Can
ada for It's supplies. This season the supply
from Canada has been cut off because of the
5-ceut duty placed on eggs and New \ ork has
been forced TO draw its supplies from the West
and South. The object of the duty, namely, to
help the markets of home producers has been
accomplished, but the consumer Is made to
pay The difference" The view of dealers gen.
orally is that the boom is practically over and
that eggs will drop below 20c before another
week. few days of mild weather will with
out doubt bring about this result.
Household Expenses.
One week from this time the retail grocer
WI be able to sell 20 pounds of granulated
sugar tor 81 and have a good profit. The
present joSbing price is 616c per pound, and on
april ! the price VIII be 418c. Let this be put
down to the much abused Mckinley tariff bills
credit. In general way household expenses
nave Deen lnuCn Increased the past rev months.
Our breadstuffs, fruits and potatoes are much
more expensive than in ordinary seasons. A
wear ago potatoes and apples were little more
per barrel than they are now per bushel.
Butter, eggs and poultry have been unusu-
ally high the past few weeks. Beef and bacon
have of la:e Joined in the advance movement.
a decline of 80 per cent in sugar will in a
measure, offset the rise in other articles which
enter luto household expenses.
With good fruit season before US, as is now
promised, the drop of the sugar tax will fur
nish many crumbs of comfort to the house
holder.
Home-Tade Moiasses.
The maple syrup crop was later than usual
coming to the front this season, but since il has
appeared the yield is unusually large January
proved an unfavorabe month for the flow of
sap. Later on there was free fow and sup
plies are now coming forward SO freely that
prices have been steadily drifting downward
Not for many seasons have homemade sugar
and mCiasses been as low as now. The top of |
the market for pure Ohio maple syrup is 95c |
per gallon. which is 25c per gallon below the
average price. The low price of common sugar
has no doubt had something to do with the de-
cline OF the homemade article.