Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-01
stanton Niarkeus.
SPECTATOR orr1cr.

STAUNToN. VA. March 3lst, 1891.
The conditions of weather interfering with
wagon-transportation. are always a direct
drawback to the trade of Staunton. The in.
dications a week ago that the worst OF the sea-
500 in taat respect was over soon disappeared,
to be followed by another deep snow com.
mencing on the night of the 26th and continu-
Ing during the day OF the 9th. Rains to-day
and last night which, with the effects OF the
| snow. virtually suspends our wagon trade not
only to town, but cuts Off deliveries of hay and
grain for the present to the several railroad
stations where our dealers are accustomed to
receive products for shipment to the distant
markets
During the past week, the grain>marke Is
everywhere, whilst subject to;some fuctuation
from different causes at differe Mt places, may
he said to have exhibited upward tendencies
and flrmness. AS tothe final state the bread
stuffs markets will assume. there can be no
rational doubt that advancing prices will mark
the progress as we pass through the last hal I
OF the season.
During the few days of sunshine of the last
ten or twelve, wheat came in somewhat freely
and was taken mostly by our millers who are
in want. The demand still exists and carries
with Uncertainty as far as the farmers are
concerned-a very grave reflection In the con-
dition they find themselves with quagmire
roads and idle teams because, of want of
macadamized roads. There is still very large
amount Of wheat aad hay in this section of
country to go to market and scarcely q pro
Queer who has not a first class term; but what
avails 1t. when the roads, are practically im-
passable for loaded wagons.
To-day we can with proprlety allow QUOTA
lions for wheat to remain as they were last
week, because there Is none on the market. for
the simple season that deliveries cannot be-
made, but at the same time from two to three
cents more would be paid if the valuable cereal
was offered.
What has been said Of the circumstances
bearing upon the price of wheat in all the mar
kets applies as well to corn and oats, and cur
own section is no small buyer of both. of wes-
tern production.
Some Inconvenience is now felt in COM
munities where 1t is the custom of retail mer-
chants to buy close in sugars. Supplies were
cut down 10 the lowest notch in view of the re-
ductien to follow after April LIST, through the
operations OF the new tariff. 1t will still be
from ten days to two weeks or more before tho
usual supply will find its way to many of the
interior retail dealers. We might reasonably
extend this limit, as an insight into the cor
|respondence of our wholesale dealers with the
great establishments in the trade, will well
warrant, as they explain the pros and cons
which must be worked out IN der the red tape
systems of government through which nearly
all the raw sugars reach the refineries of our
country. The time when sugar was luxury
has long since passed. It Is an indispensable
necessity now. and the Inconvenience of a
want of it for even few days Will prove
greater hardship than as many months of
similar scantiness would have brought about
years ago. The reduction in price win be
about two cents per pound.
We quote corn-meaI higher to retail dealers,
but little If any is sold under 80 cents per
bushel.
Country butter was selling to-day at 80 cents
per pound and eggs at 20 cents per dozen.
The quotations are wholesale. not RETAIL
ConAsrT Produce.