The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-05
RICE.

The rice business of Savannah during
the past year was OF more importance and
decidedly more satisfactory than that Of
the previous year. In the first place the
quality of the product was finer, and the
yield was about $4,000 bushels more than
IN lS94-95
Even with the increased receipts the do
nestle rice did not suffice for the con-
sumption, and there was large importa-
lions of foreign as wen as receipts OF
large quantities from New Orleans.
The first rice began to come in early In
September, but the receipts were not
crowded in the market at any time dur
ing the season. The crop was judiciously
marketed, and as a result fair range of
prices was maintained, and there was no
excessive supply at the mills Beginning
at the opening Of THE season in September
the prices for rice ruled strong, and con-
tnued in that position until about the
middle of December, when there began a
steady decline on all grades, except prime
The importation OF common grades of
foreign rice during the spring served to
depress the market for the low grades in
the domestic product and the decline con-
tinued up TO the first of July. reaction
then took place, and prices advanced &c
" ~ Allo tOuS CONTINUING HIm with
hardening tendency UP to the present
time.
The new crop will find the market bare
OF stock. Nearly all of the remaining
stock, which amounted to about $1,000 OF
rough, or 3,700 barrels of clean rice, was
burned in the recent destruction of the
Planters rice mills. In this connection
it is proper to mention the enterprise of
those interested in the rice industry. The
directors of the Planters rice mills have
contracted to have the mills rebuilt, and
VIII put in the mills the very latest i'm
proved machinery for cleaning the rice
1t is claimed that there will be a saving of
10 per cent. to the planters, by the use
of the new-style machinery There is
every evidence that the coming crop will
be a large and fine one. The acreage
planted in this section is larger than that
OF last year and the weather conditions
have continued favorable throughout the
growing season. Harvesting of the new
crop began on Monday, Aug. II. Unless
a destructive storm passes over the rice
section during the present month the
harvest will undoubtedly be the most sat
isfactory in years, in point OF quality,
quantity and price.
While the crop Of rice in this section
promises to be exceptionally fine, there
comes reports of serious damage to the
growing crop in Louisiana. 1t is said that
"lui UliS SAttpllOh Oh the irrigated IanQS
in Southwest Louisiana, the rice crop of
that state are practically gone, and even
the irrigated lands give promises of
smaller yield per acre than in more favor
able seasons.
These conditions point towards higher
prices and If the rice crop in this section
turns out as satisfactory as it promises,
the planters about here will receive the
benefit.
The main opposition In the business will
be the heavy Importation of foreign rice
which is expected. but as domestic rice is
preferable to the foreign. and dealers will
pay Nc to 15c a pound more for it,
1t is thought that the native product will
command remunerative and hence salts
factory prices during the entire season.
The following statement shows the ex-
ports of clean rice for the past year and
in 1S94-95, and of the local consumption
in barrels Of $50 pounds: