The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-11
SAvANNAH'S TRADE YEAR.
Continued from Fourth Page.

Continued from Fourth Page
test and most improved machinery the
-~,fucts they turn out. under the direc-
son of experienced men, are equal TO the
Triees Of the raw materials used in the
brsiness were little lower. Potash, which
= sin under the control OF a German syn
1-ate was sold at about the same price
a. IL was the previous year; birthstone and
~-.rres about the same; yet the prices OBJ
5iref for manufactured goods was con-
sljerably less. This was caused by the ex-
+rsmely low price Of cotton, which crop
,rnisies the demand for the greater part
- he output. The low price received by
me farmers for the crop Of 1S94-95 did not
Justify their using fertilizers largely on
ne crop TO be made this year except at a
auction The fertilizer companies 10
meet the situation. reduced prices to as
low a figure as they could afford. They
realized that the farmers interests and
tbeirs were identical. and that the pros
,s-ifr Of the business depended upon the
farmers being able to raise a profitable
The following table shows how the
transportation OF fertilizers was distri-
buted.
The appropriated exports of fertilizers
rom savannah from Sept. l, 1894. to Aug.
d. Tons
Per Central railroad and branches. 81, 500
Per savannah, Florida and Western
railway (estlmated) .....-..--......-.. $1,000
q Per Charleston and Savannah rail-
Per Per Florida Central and Peninsular
Per- sT! savannah river steamers ........ 5000
Total 81 SOP
Florida Phosphate Rock.
There has been a steady increase in the
amount of Florida phosphate rock export
. ed from this port, ss is shown by the fol-
4 lowing figures:
n For year ending Aug. 81. 1892. e. e.2sS tons
/ For year ending May 81. 1885,. us tons
. For year ending Aug. 81, 1894. .S3, 3l5 tons
For year ending Aug. 81, 49,. 81 $50 tons
Nearly all of this rock was handled by
the Plant system, which offered facilities
10 encourage shipments through this port.
That system could give quick dispatch to
tonnage as was shown by the shipments
during the month of May, which amounted
to 1S,4lS tons. loaded into seven steam
ships. This was more than was handled
through any other port during that month
except Tampa, Fla, where tonnage was
only 542 tons more.
LUMBER.
The history of the lumber trade is prac-
tically the same every year, at least that
has been the case during the past four or
five seasons. Low values and the contin-
ued fear of over production have prevail
ed The South American republics, which
were the largest patrons few years ago,
have recently been practically out of the
market, owing to their unsatisfactory
financial condition. The past year however
shows a large increase of shipments to
domestic ports. The past year was one of
advancement in so far as the volume of
business is concerned. while prices were
fairly well maintained, owing TO the com
bine of several operators who arranged
10 work in harmony for their mutual in
terests. The entire production of the mills
of this city and the adjacent territory was
handled by Savannah. For the past year
the increase in the shipments was about
1900 900 feet The commercial advantages
Of Savannah over the nearby ports, and
the superior banking facilities accounts
for the increase in the amount of business
done.
The midsummer business in lumber at
this port was something remarkable for
that season, having surpassed the bust
ness of the previous summer, fully 30
per cent This may be accounted for in
part by the fact that there was an increase
ed demand for crossties, and also special
orders for lumber to build factories at the
north. As to the matter of prices there
was little or no fiuctuation. The general
run was about the same throughout the
year.
Taken altogether the lumber business
for the past year was more satisfactory
than during the previous year, and the
prospects are encouraging for q continued
increase in the trade. The formation of
the southern Pine Company, in which
several prominent dealers are interested,
Will have tendency to concentrate the
business and command more remunera-
tive prices.