Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-04-03
COMMERCIAL And FINANCIAL
THE GRAIN TRApE-cBops. &C.


The Cincinnati Price Current of March 2Sth,
says:
THE past week has failed to furnish all that
has been needful to give seasonable shaping
of agricultural interests. In portions of Kan
sas some relief has been had from rains, prov
ing helpful to the wheat crop, and otherwise,
and to a limited extent showers have fallen
elsewhere, but the most of the area is suffer
ing considerable drawback from lack of moiS-
ture, and the wheat plant continues backward
in growth. Even with better conditions at
once full restoration to normal position of
the crop appears quite improbable over a con-
siderable part of the area. In various locali-
ties where confidence had previously been
had in the prospect of the crop there is now
increasing apprehension and something of
encouragement. The general average condi-
ton of the crop has been further lowered dur
ing the week, but ample rains soon would
likely arrest such tendency and shape the
outlook more favorably.
Our correspondence confirms the previous
returns concerning the closely marketed situa-
ton of wheat, the unusually small current
offerings and the difficulty experienced by in
terror millers in obtaining supplies resulting
in curtailment of operations to an important
extent. There is also noted considerable feed
ing of wheat right along, in many sections,
and particularly in Michigan.
The dry weather has continued to occasion
delay in seeding of oats in many regions, and
unless there be very favorable change quick
ly this crop will not have desirable start,
and quite likely the area will be cut short of
calculations.
There continues to be evidence of fair sup
plies of corn and other feeding material in
much of the territory east of the Mississippi
river.
The wheat market has shifted considerably
during the week, manifesting strength and
weakness, and Oh the whole disappointment
to those who have expected to find reflection
of the evident features of encouragement
with reference to supply and demand for the
grain in the current values, governed by the
speculative markets. Chicago prices close
fractionaliy lower than week ago."
FINANCIAL.
The following are extracts from the finan-
cial review of Henry Clews of March Both
London continues to exhibit renewed conf
dence in our securities. There has been no
important realizing here on account of that
market, and the operations on the London
Exchange are assuming quite active phase.
1t is evident that British investors have re-
gained, in an important measure, their form
er confidence in our investments.
This revival on the London market is i'm
portant as having direct bearing on the for
eign exchanges. As 1t was almost entirely
the return of securities that caused the extra.
ordinary exports of gold during the late de-
preston, so the renewal of exports of these
obligations will tend to hold the shipments OF
specie in check, thereby facilitating the re-
storative work of the Loan Syndicate and
| Strengthening the position of the United
| States Treasury.
In general trade, the prospects remain en-.
| couraging. 1t is conceded in all markets that
prices have touched bottom; and that lays q
basis for buying which has not existed for the
| last two years. Manufacturers have pretty
generally reached stage at which they can
afford to produce at the current scale of prices
though perhaps with strictly moderate profits
| and the consequence is an increase of orders
| and preparations for materially enlarged
| production. In all branches of the iron trade
| excepting perhaps steel rails, there is very
distinct improvement in business which is
| the more gratifying because that industry is
| always accepted as the truest indication of the
state of business at large. The cotton goods
| trade has entered on a healthier stage, and
with the rise in raw cotton, fabrics are adj
vancing in price. The wooden trade shows a
better demand; but the manufacturers are
held in some restraint by fears of the trades
unions demanding an advance in wages. In
articles of domestic consumption, such as
groceries, etc., there is a steady Improvement
of demand; which shows that the consump-
tive ability of the people is on the increase.
In brief, the trade of the country generally
affords evidence of a resumption of natural
conditions but on an exceptionally low scale
of prices, which seems likely to prove more or
less permanent"