The morning call., 1892-09-14
THE CONDITION OF TRADE.
Heavy Falling Of in Local
Exports This Year.
Provisions Unssttled-Fswer Failurss-Ceraals
Dull and Deprsssed-Driei and Canned
Fruit Stiff

Last week was seriously cut into By holi-
days and was distinguished by nothing in
particular. The grain markets were more
demoraized than for months at discourag-
ing prices for the farmers. AGAINST this
there was an improved feeling in the grocery
trade. Dried fruit was advanced all around,
but fresh fruit was rather weaker
We continue 70 run behind 1891 in ex-
ports, those from this port for the first
eight months Of the year being S23, $50, 900
against S32.672, 900 for the corresponding
period in 1891. The falling in the export
trade this year is mainly due to the lessened
shipments of wheat, in connection with
lower prices for that cereal This is shown
in tie fact that our total shipments of all
Kinds TO Europe this year aggregate value
OF only SI0,9T9. l00 against SIS, 80, 900 Tor
the same time last year, showing a deficit
this year Of 1888 SEQ. Thus the difference
IN the European trade alone aeeOun for
nearly all Of the decrease. We also note
decrease this year of SLIT, 500 with the
Hawaiian Islands, and SS63 800 with South
America Ia these three directions the de-
crease is So 344, 500. With nearly all other
markets there has been an increase.
Local bank elearings last week were
SI3, 2J6 600, against SIG 255, 900 for the same
week last year. The steady decrease in
these ciearings this year is phenomenal
The exhibit Of failures last month was
highly satisfactory. The Bradstreet Mer-
camille Agency reports seventy failures in
the Pacific Coast States and Territories for
the month of August. with assets SOS. coo
and liabilities S322, 39l. as compared with
101 for the cOGresp Undng month OF 1891,
with assets $685.. &c aud liabilities SOL, 43l.
Following are tile causes assigned Tor the
failures; lncompeteDcy, %; lnexperience,
10; inadequate capital for the business
undertaken, "a; injudcous erediting, 2;
neglect of business and bad habits, .; IN
favorable cirCums tances, Z; fraud, 3.
THE GRAIN MARKET,
Bakers -four has been marked down to
81 and 81 10 per barrel
Wheat freights have defined to 22s Cd for
iron vessels, usual options.
Middlings have been marked up 80 cents
Ter ton. No change in bran.
There is not firm cereal on the list.
From wheat down TO rye they are all cheap,
dull and demOraiZad. Wheat Itself drags
along without much change and barley is in
about the same condition. Oats are rapidly
getting demoraiZsd, as arrivals are liberal
and the demand Is very slow.
Ii is almost impossible to sell corn, al
though prices have been reduced since last
review.
Rye continues neglected and in ample
supply.
Grain bags are held a fraction steadier.
GENERAL COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Hay is simply demoTalized. The market
was never so choked at this time Of the
year, and dealers are glad to sell very fair
hay al SO to 81 per ton.
Potatoes are in good demand at about last
weeks prices. though several descriptions
show a slight decline.
Onions are doing better.
Butter is weak, though supplies are not
excessive. Cheese is firm. Eggs bring 37h
for the finest ranch. aud stocks are II oder
ate.
Comb honey is dull, but extracted is
scarce. In demand and still higher, the best
water white being quoted up to cents p er
pound.
Dried fruit, as general thing, Is in good
demand and firm, though grapes are weak
| and peaches easy. Plums and prunes are
scarce AMI wanted. and apricots rule steady
at the very high prices.
New raisins are steadily held at prices re-
| munerative to growers. Old stock is well
cleaned UP and more or less nominal.
All seeds are firm, supplies being moder-
ate. The mustards are stiff. as the New
York market is almost wholly dependent
on California for supplies this year, and the
bulk Of the crop has already passed out of
growers hands.
Wool is selling fairly, now that good fall
clips are coming in, and buyers conse-
| quenty have more of an assortment to
choose from. Defective woods, however,
are dull. Spring clips are well cleaned up.
Hops continue dull at Is cents bid and 20
| cents asked Tor choice. These quotations.
| however, are nominal, as no sales are re.
ported. Late adVices hom Oregon and
| Washington report serious damage TO those
CROPS by lice, the latter State being particu-
| larry affected Dealers consequently he
lieve that these two crops will be smaller
than expected, with less choice hops. The
English, German and New York crops are
in mixed and uncertain condition, and
buyers here are accordingly holding off IN til
more definite conclusions regarding the
future can be formed.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
Sugar is firm at the advanced prices, with
a very good interior demand.
Coffee rules quiet at rates last quoted,
with ample stocks in second hands.
Rice shows no particular change, though
there is more call for Chinese. A new fea-
ture in this trade is the receipt per British
ship Candida, from Rangoun, September z
of 1900 tons Of brewers rice and 600 tons
ordinary RangoOn rice. This article, in
style, resembles Japan rice.
The provision market is somewhat de-
! moraliZsd. Eastern hams have lately
dropped cents per pound. and SONS houses
are selling them to / u cents below cost of
laying them down here. owing to keen
competition and expectations of still lower
! prices. Smoked beef and lard are also
| lower.
Alaskan canned salmon has again been
| advanced by the combination, and the mar
| ket Is very active. The sales for shipment
| have reduced the stock of this and last
years pack held by the combination. in
GLIDING the rack of this season, to arrive to
| some 10000 to 175.000 cases, aud It Is
| thought that this vii; soon be taken. Co.
| lumbla River salmon is we'll sold up, and
| good FISH OF this years pack is scarce and
| wanted.
| Canned fruits rule firm and Gamers insist
| on full figures when they SELL The Ques-
| ton of freight rates is temporarily settled,
| as the railroad company has guaranteed
| rates through September, and large Quanti-
| ties Of goods are now going eastward, both
| by rail and clippers.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Cigars are moving off fairly, but tobacco
| is reported quiet. The Eastern leaf markets
| continue TO show an upward tendency. This
| Is especially the case with the lighter grades,
| which are scarce aud high.
| Trade in dry goods is nothing extra At
| the same time the market cannot be called
| In bad shape. as the imports at New York
| thus far this year have amounted to $685.
| 100000, while over SS4 600, 600 In goods were
| sold during the same period. and there is no
| accumulation of foreign dry goods in bonded
| warehouse this year.
| Coal is In ample supply and the market
| lacks frmness.