The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-09
Interviews Oh tho Subject With Richmond
Merchants.
| BRIGHT PROSPECT FOR TIE YEAR.
The Groccss, Real Estate Men. produce IN"
Commission, and Dry oooos
All Of tho Same Opinion

with a view Of ascertaining the prevailing
impressions Of our merchants regarding the
nrssent business outlook. a number of them
have been personally seen in the past few
DAYS. and the reports that came from them
Arc filed with encouraging antcipahohs
founded upon conservative estimates ana
Carefully studied business propositions.
The reports are not confined 10 any psTtlcu-
lar branch Of trade, but the impressions have
been secured from men representing almost
ali OF the lines which constitute important
factors in the commerce OF this city. Inc
utmost confidence seems 10 be entertained by
the merchants as TO the success OF the ap-
preaching season. and az will be seen from
The following reports their conclusions are
based upon substantial indications and ire,
ouently are the legitimate deductions Oh
established facts.
THE GROCERY TRADE
The enorrnitv of this branch of trade gives
additional force to the estimates OF the inoi-
chants who control it, ana sltnough IL was
not possible 20 personally visit all.ot them,
suhicieut number we're seen 20 thoroughly re-
reivs the general impressions which Obtain
among the leading grocers of Richmond.
Nessrs. Davenport h Morris, l.. c. Younger
T. q. Leigh, j., Thomas Potts, Adolphus
Blair. r. A. Saunders, Jr., and Davenport "
Watkins all seem to beiieye hrlniy IN the
The low price of cotton. it was feared.
would initiate against the prosperity OF the
season. but the unusual crop OF corn. wheat
and other cereals and the satisfactory crop OF
tobacco, All bringing good prices wiz more
than counter balance the loss by cotton
The sale Of groceries in this city has been
excellent all the year, and each month Will
show nm increase over the corresponding
month of last year. The good crops not be-
mo confined TO any one section, the mer-
chants have @ more extended territory to
cover and consequently larger demand Tor
ali classes Of goods.
in the better class OF goods which are now
most marketable When the people are poor
they reouiro far lower classes Of merchandise
but eyen this early in the season orders begin
10 declare the requirement for superior quail
ties of goods in all lines.
DRY GOODS TRADE.
Messrs. III. Milhiser d Co., NJ. Rosenbaum
Il Co., j. p Yancey Co., George ID. Ihsx-
ton & CO., and Drewry, Hughes Co. were
called upon by a TINES representative. The
concensus Of opinion on the outlook for trade
ID as follows:
Trade is good at present, sales for July
being equally as large as that month last year.
For Virginia, especially, business is surpris-
inglv brisk. when il is taken into account the
large amount Of money tied up" in
land specuations. The crops however,
have much 10 Go with this, and
they have been first rate. There was
fine wheat crop, it being considerably better
than last year. and an improvement on the
year Of 1889. The corn crop bids far TO be
one Of the best for years. and with good
prices prevailing the farmers hope to have
more than ali usual amount Of funds at the
end of the season. Another important factor
is the fruit crop. This has been a surprise
II hoe Iaap and IL ar,lpndid and fba cale
made By commission merchants are very en-
couraging 10 the growers. These crops being
important factors 10 the farmers it is
but lust t. say that they are moro
hopeful for several years past, and with a
good tobacco crop Virginia planters will be
better prepared in 1892 20 meet their Obliga-
tions than they have been for several years
past Ii is fortunate. too that these crops
have been raised this season, for all Virgin
ians have the wish that the farmer will make
al able representation at the state Fair 10 be
held next fall
In North and South observation-disclosures
in the northern and central portions of the
letter State-there is much complaint about
the low price of cotton, and as a whole the
crop in these States will DO inferior. 1t was
quite % discouraging crop about two
weeks ago but has improved some
what and there is still room for
considerable improvement. The low price of
cotton is due 10 the two large crops that were
raised in 1859 and 1890 respectively. There
being no abnormal demand for the staple the
price dropped. and cotton that last year sold
for twelve can now be bought for eight cents.
This crop being the mainstay of the people
of the Oarolinas. tTado~wlth them is not AZ
brisk as in Virginia. They are hoping, how
ever, and using every energy TO make both
ends meet.
Even with this state Of affairs the volume
of business has increased and rapid sales are
reported in the Carolinas. Some sections are
doing less business but the outlook as a
whole could he decidedly worse, and all are Of
the opinion that as the season progresses the
crop viii become better and business more
brisk
REAL ESTATE.
Mr. Il. NJ. Quarles of the firm of Quarles
4 McCurdy, when seen 10y representative Of
The TINES with reference to the outlook in
the real estate business, expressed himself
in the following manner:
AT this season Of the year we have ALWAYS
dull times in the real estate business. The
dull season lasts from the middle of July
until the middle Of September. Next fall no
doubt the business will be much better for
the crops have been good all over the country
and the harvest will soon be in The corn
has yielded a2o0d harvest and the Truckers
have all done well believe we will have a
much better showing this fall than is an
tlcipated.
'Some of the new beginners in the real estate
business who started out at an unfavorahle
time, have been somewhat discouraged but
We all can look forward to the future with the
best prospects. IL will not only DO a tenn
porary increase Of the business. but no doubt
ii will continue for years to come The great
demand for dwellings in this city should in
duce builders TO put up additional houses
such as demanded. There can he found fewer
desirable houses this season. than in any
former year
Dir. Henry l., Denoon, of the firm of Denoon,
Upper & 90, stated that the real estate bust
ness had been fully 40 to their expectations
this year. This firm did not look for real &C.
uyity until next epring, but they did not be-
heye that the outlook was so bad as il had
generally been pictured by the people. IL
appeared as If the residents OF this city had
been losing confidence in outside speculation
and II was 70 be hoped that this fact would
materially advance prices and activity in the
real estate transactions IN this city. There
was no doubt that Richmond was the place
Tor sold Investments in real estate
Mr.. Robert r. Harrison OF Messrs Harri
son ~ Powers. when questioned on the sub
lect, admitted that business was somewhat
quiet AZ present. but that the dealers in real
estate looked Tor greater activity in the fall,
although not 10 such gu extent as the in
crease Of business wonld be next spring. At
present The people were kept busy in settling
NJ tor former investments. When the
residents of Richmond would be ready 10
start IN anew. they would prefer to invest
tnelf money right here ia this city. instead OF
IN lftta IL NH