Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-31
lumber yards, too, have been busy and
have kept fully as many hands employ

| GU do ldSO lSdI<
The grain and flour trade does not
improve in proportion to some other
branches, but this is easily accounted
for. In the past few years country mills
have been built in many counties IN
this section of the State and these from
the grain grown thereabout supply
their respective neighborhoods with
flour and keep that trade at home.
OF course during period when de-
preston is widespread the real estate
business is among the first to feel the
effects. During "hard timesn but few
people can afford to buy houses or
| ground and few want to sell at time
when prices must necessarily be low.
Nevertheless the real estate dealers in
this city have done moderate business
and feel encouraged at the prospects
for the future. Prices have held firm
and the general beliefs that real estate
in Alexandria and vicinity will steadily
increase in value with each succeeding
year.
The Portner Brewing Company re-
ports no falling off in their business,
and the public know that there has
been no falling off in the quality OF
the beer made there. The brewery is
a model establishment and is so recog-
nized by the leading brewers of the
country. Notwithstanding this, the
plant is being constantly enlarged ard
its capacity increased, until now it
amounts to nearly 100000 barrels a
year. The latest improvements and
contrivancies for brewing are to be
seen at the brew cry and every member
of the company is an active business
man. The business of this brewery is
an important factor in the trade of the
CITY,
The several fertilizer manufacturers
have not only increased their output
but are constantly increasing the size
of their plants and putting in new ma
chinery and improvements to keep up
with the times. The excellence and
purity of the Alexandria fertilizers
have before been mentioned and the
high standard they have reached is be-
ing maintained by the manufacturers.
The tannery has done a good bust
ness during the year and has kept a
large number of hands employed. The
Alexandria made leather meets with q
ready sale in the largest markets of the
country and its reputation for superior
ity has long been established.
The soapstone works, comparative
ly new industry, have done we'll and
the various articles made there are
shipped to all parts of the country.
The foundries have done fairly well
though in some of them smaller force
of men has been employed.
The business at the ship yard shows
an increase over that of last year; a
larger number of vessels having been
repaired there than for some years
past.
The hard times which the farmers
have experienced have not affected the
trade in agricultural implements, seeds,
&C., as much as might have been ex-
pected, and the merchants engaged in
this trade report fair amount of bust
ness for the year.
The fruit trade of the city has iu-
creased wonderfully during the past
two or three years and it is safe to say
that more fruit is sold in Alexandria in
a week now than was sold in twelve
months few years since. Here can be
found not only domestic, but fruit of
every cline sold at prices within the
reach of all.
The confectionery trade has also in
creased and the stores are now carrying
much larger and more varied stocks
than formerly.
The cigar trade has increased and the
Alexandria-made cigars continue to
hold high place in the public favor.
The ice trade increases yearly and
the shipments of ice to and from this
city have consequently increased. The
ice factory last year did good bust
ness.
The dry goods and notion trade has
increased and the merchants engaged
in this business have shown commend
able enterprise during the year. They
have carried larger and more varied |
stocks, and this has not only kept many
people from going from the city to
make purchases, but has also attracted
larger country trade. W.,
:AzslSSaas fi q s ade in sugars, syrups,
and molasses, which few years since
was considered phenomenal, continues
to increase, and the low figures at
which these articles are sold here
bring many purchasers from dis.
lance to this city. This is also true of
the oil trade, which few years since
was insignificant, but which is now one
of the city's important branches OF bus
mess.
The sales of coal continue to in
crease and many dealers from a dis
lance get their supplies from the Alex
andria merchants. A large business
in salt and plaster is also done here.
The furniture dealers have done
fair business during the year and carry
large and handsome stocks.
The commissioner merchants report
that there has been no actual falling
off in that business, though the method
of conducting this business has greatly
changed.
The hardware and building material
trade has also been fair.
The brick yards in the vicinity,
while not having done as large bust
ness as during some previous years, the
general depression in business having
had the effect of restricting building
operations, have done fairly well.
The clothing, hat and shoe dealers
report a fair business, considering the
"dullness of times"
The jewellers, who. it would be sup
posed, would be most affected by dull
times, have managed to do quite g
good business. The jewelry stores of