Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-04-17
COMMERCIAL and FINANCIAL
THE GRAIN TRADE-CRoPs. sc.


The Cincinnati Price Current of April 18th,
says:
1.-The past week has been fairly favorable
for wheat and other crops. Considerable ram
has fallen, but irregularly. The temperature
in the central regions has been somewhat
lacking in seasonable warmth, such as is cal
culated to encourage the development of vege
not been advancing rapidly.
The general tenor of wheat crop returns is
well maintained, the most striking exception
being Kansas, where much of the seeded area
has been overtaken with drawbacks either of
drought, winter killing or damaging storms,
and the extent of curtailment of the crop in
that State will be serious. Much of the seed
ed area will be abandoned to other crops.
In other winter wheat States the larger por
ton of the area appears to be regarded with
much confidence, but not uniformly so. Some
areas are still needing moisture. Various
localities are regarded as of doubtful position
for going through in satisfactory shape to
harvest even under favorable conditions, it
being believed that the retarded condition of
growth from severity of cold weather and
droughty conditions must imply blighted
condition of the crop. 1t is within reason to
consider the outlook for winter wheat as fully
10 per cent short of last years results
The seeding of oats is far advanced, and the
general position is encouraging More mois
ture soon, and genial temperature. will give
the crop good start. 1t evidently has large
area.
The seeding of spring wheat has made good
progress. and if sufficient moisture be had the
outlook will shape encouragngly.
The government report gives 81.4 as the
average condition of winter wheat which
may be regarded as quite consistent with cur
rent information. The average is moderately
influenced by the high estimate for Cali
fornia
The offerings of grain continue small, and
in regard to wheat it is difficult to find ground
for expectation of any considerable quantity
to be made available for shipment before
new grain can be had. Interior mills are
more and more feeling the scarcity of sup
plies.
The wheat markets have shown something
of tendency to higher values, the past week,
but IN no positive form, and at the close
prices are but fractionally better than week
ago. Corn is easier and moderately lower
than week ago.
FINANCIAL.
The following are extracts from the finan-
cial review of Henry Clews of April 12th:-
Each week brings US. nearer to the time
when crop forecasts can be made with some
dehniteness, and should the prospect remain
as encouraging as it now u.s. this must become
'bulr' element of some importance.
In the meantime all the commercial symp
toms continue to be encouraging. The up
ward tendency in the prices of merchandise
becomes more marked, which means not
only sustained increase in the demand fol-
goods, but also growth of confidence among
| the trading community. We have witnessed
| this week pronounced advance in petroleum
cotton and beef. Coal has also been marked
up and also silver, thus showing the tendency
| of products to seek higher valuation. 1t il
an evidence that the country is waking VI
from its long existing condition of pessimism
and that the brighter side is becoming visible
to those engaged in business undertakings
The outlook for the crops generally has mate
rally improved of late. What this country
particularly wants this year, however, Is
good yield of corn, and not excessive ones il
| either wheat or cotton. The two latter crop
can be too large to be of benefit. while thu
former cannot be, as it is a product that neve
deteriorates with age, and makes the mos
solid and healthy food for both man ant
beast. In it we have little competition will
other nations and no fear of any. 1t is there
fore entitled to be considered the King o
crops in this country and has dethroned cot
ton, which used to be so considered.
The great activity among the silver propa
gandists of the West is attracting much atten
ton; the more so as it appears to be directet
almost entirely towards national free coinage
independently of any international arrange
ment Of course, but one result would b.
possible under such a state of things,-th'
suspension of gold payments and the forcing
out of the country of our present stock O
gold. 1t is well, however, that this suicida
scheme should receive all the publicity thu
silver fanatics are trying to give it. Wher
the next Presidential election comes, tn,
honest population of the country will under
stand the meaning of the plot, and will b
prepared with verdict that will settle al
such rant once and for ever. In the mean
time, President Cleveland will see to it tina
no further harmful silver legislation gets on
| the statute book"