The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-09
CONDITION OF TRADE.
A Favorable Aspect Presented on
All Sides.
The Wheat Market-Bank Clearings-The COT.
fee Trade-Heavy Supplies of Coal
Receipts of Lumber.

Local bank clearings last week were S21,-
407,51S against SIS, 253, 4S6 for the same week
in 1891. AS far as these continued gains in
bank clearings are an indication we are
considerably ahead of 1891 in the volume of
business, and as no large failures have &C.
CURED for a comparatively long time the in
ference is natural that business is good.
Money is in ample supply at normal rates.
Collections are fair. Jobbers in most lines
report an active outward movement of mer-
chaudise.
After several days of threatening weather
it has settled down for hat looks like
good rain. An average rainfall at this time
will be of great benefit, not only to the
farmers, but to all lines of trade. We are
so dependent on the rainfall on this Coast
that dry weather in winter causes apprehen-
sion, as plenty OF rain creates general con-
fdence and willingness to trade.
THE GRAIN MARKET.
Exports of wheat and flour reduced to a
wheat basis during the first five months of
the present crop year were s. 10000 centals.
valued at S14 738, GEO. against {. 075 coo centals
at S., 32S, 000 during the same period in 1890
The exports of flour alone were 496 500
barrels.
1t appears that we have more wheat on
hand in the State than had been generally
expected. The semi-annual statement of
the Produce Exchange, issued last Satur-
day. gives the amount at 49S, 600 tons. The
effect of this announcement was decidedly
bearish, especially as the bulls had been
figuring on $4,000 to 100000 tons. Count
ing the receipts from Oregon and the in
visible supply as sufficient for home con-
sumption, it is now conceded that all of this
49S, 900 tons will be available for export.
The wheat market has been weak for
some time, but at the close there is more
tone and more desire to buy, owing TO an
appreciation abroad. Freights are weak,
and this also helps wheat. At the same
time, the market cannot be called active,
and it exhibits no features worthy of note.
Barley is weak and the rain at the close
tends TO weaken it still more. Trade Is
quiet Oats are in ample supply and fair
demand at unchanged prices
Stocks OF corn. both here and in the in
terror, are large, but there is no decline, as
one house practically controls the market.
The demand, however, is slow, as buyers
purchase only from hand to mouth.
Rye is in sufficient supply for all imme-
date wants, and prices have declined dur
ing sthe week. Bran and middlings have
been marked down. Corn meal and cracked
corn have been marked M.
Flour is steady and the millerS report
fair demand.
GENERAL COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Produce is uninteresting. The demand
for the various articles is not very brisk
and fluctuations are few aud narrow. *
Hay is quiet and prices have made no
noteworthy variation for some time. The
consumers and dealers are well supplied,
hence the slow demand.
Beans continue irregular. Prices bob
about more or less, being subject 20 consid-
cradle manipulation by the parties inter-
ested.
Potatoes. particularly the river descrip-
tions, are firm. and tho latter. which were
SO demOralized and plentiful during the fall,
are now rather scarce at the advanced
prices. Onions are easy and in ample sup
ply.
Butter is no lower, and. in fact. some deal
ers report a fairly steady market for the
best grades, though medium qualities are
somewhat weak. Cheese has declined
slightly since last review. Fine eggs are
firmer, owing to the recent cold snap, which
arrested laying.
Dried fruit shows no quotable change, the
market being heavily supplied with most
descriptions and dull. Raisins are equally
inactive, abundant and weak. The New
York Commercial Bulletin says:
That wholesalers have through the inducement
of moderate prices, been able 10 distribute more
California TaisDs this season than before in
lie corresponding number of weeks, Is suscepti-
bic Of proof, and that The consumption has stimu-
laled greatly is no secret. as a matter Of fact
California sacked Taisins have fought their
way iuto interior markets where they were
scarcely known prior 10 this season, and all
signs are very much at fault II the cheapness Of
goods has not been Of great force In helping
along the movement. Not only that, but salts
factory quality has put the fruit far ahead OF the
Imported stock, and as long as the quality is kept
up TO This years standard the Csilforniaps
doubtless Will be able to market larger crop
DeXi season and possibly AT better average prices
Than those now ruling.
The only new feature to nuts Is rise in
softshell almonds. which are being cor
uered.
Hides are quiet and several kinds have
declined slightly. Tallow is unchanged.
Wool is in moderate demand at the old
quotations.
Hops are firm at IS cents as the top of the
market. For choice hops there is a steady
inquiry.
While there is no advance in prices, the
meat market is steadier, and choice beef,
mutton. lamb and veal are firm. Hogs
show no change.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
Although as the holidays approach, trade
in these lines gradually quiets down, there
is still a very fair movement in the staples
Sugar is reported quiet at the old quota
tons. Herr Licht, in his recent estimate
Of the European beet sugar crop, reduced
his previous report to the extent of 100000
; tons, and also cut down the cane crop OF the
world 10000 tons. This has given holders of
raw sugar more courage.
Rice shows no variation worthy of note.
Some brands Of canned oysters have been
marked down.
The circular of r. Hochko6er gives the
receipts of coffee at this port thus far this
year at $50, bags, against 137, 06S bags in
the same time last year. The sales from
first hands were 1922 40 bags, against
1858, and the stock in first hands Deem
Der 1st was 607l bags, against 1868 The
circular says:
The unusual activity during The first three
weeks OF November, which suited in the dis
tflbullon OF nearly all OF the iirst-hand STOCK,
has entirely subsidized, tie sales since the 2ist
ulf being practically nil-parIly ascribabe to
the extreme scarcity OF desirable qualities and
TO the fact that dealers are as a rule, well sup
Piled Tor temporary requirements. We continue
former quotations, which are more or less nom
inal Tor all except medium and inferior deScrip-
lions. The New York market closes easier in
consequence OF more settled condition OF
political affairs In Brazil and the natural reac-
ion usually following an upward movement.
Prospects for the growing crops of Rio aud
Santos are regarded favorable, recent estimate
being 100000 bags for both provinces, while
the opinion prevails That the present crop has
been somewhat nyereslImated Several parcels
OF new crop Guatemala and Mexican were re-
ceived per steamer City OF Sydney. arriving No
vember Both, but as yet no samples have been
displayed.
Provisions are only moderately dealt in
ana bacon has again declined.
Canned fruits are quiat, and beyo nd the
frmness in peaches noted last week the
market exhibits no noteworthy feature.
Canned salmon continues dull and un-
changed.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The finest grades of tobacco are in salts
factory demand, but common goods are III
large stock and rather slow
Dry goods run along without much
change, trade being nothing extra.
Ihe coal market shows no variation.
Forward futures are firm, but spot prices
are easy. The weeks receipts were ii, $40