The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-25

advantage. The fact is that there Is but
comparatively little f1OUr in the country
at the moment and there will be still less
before the new crop of winter wheat is fit
for milling, as the capacity of the mills
in this country who can grind on the 1885
crop Of wheat to advantage is none too
large to supply the domestic demand for
consumption, and it is but folly to believe
that the foreigners will not take at least
a little. This leaves the mills in strong
position, notwithstanding the fact that
wheat markets are unsettled, and quoted
weaker all along. Present quotations are
not far from a cost basis, and on any small
decline in wheat values the mills will no
doubt claim the difference as profit. An
other fact lies in that the price of cash
wheat shows a much less decline on the
local market than May wheat at Chicago.
In the first place the difference between
May wheat here and May wheat at CHI
cago has been narrowed from more than SC
to somewhere about &c, and the difference
between cash and May here has been re-
duced to nothing and then widened the
other way to a quarter of cent to the dis
advantage of the cash wheat. 1t is thus
seen that on a decline of about &c in Chi
cago May wheat the decline in the actual
cash wheat in Minneapolis which the mill
ers have to buy has been not far fran 4c
IN the same length of time. This fact
alone, Notwithstanding the low prices re-
ceived for feed stuffs, would warrant
steady prices for -four The demand for
lower grades Of flour is showing consider
able improvement, and while prices are
not improved they are holding up WELL
and the same ratios with reference to the
patents are being we'll maintained with the
mills as a general thing showing their
short sales of these grades somewhat ex-
tended from what they were week or ten
days ago.
BRAN AND SHORTS : There is a
steady market for these products with a
tendency towards dulness, and conse-
quently, while the mills are showing a fair
production feeling Of easiness prevails.
Brokers find themselves quite we'll sup
piled with orders, but as a general thing
there is more or less complaint concerning
the prices at which the mills hold the
goods. Country mills are starting up to
some extent in the Northwest and as a
result the local brokers are Offering some
standard bran at prices somewhat lower
than they can get city made bran for
Supplies Of this country bran, however at
this season Of the year are more or less
uncertain in extent, and the larger trade
is inclined to favor the city product even
at a shade higher price, although at pres
ent the country appears to want but little
at best and the country offerings are
having some effect. Local millers are, as
a general thing, quite we'll sold ahead and
this fact alone appears to be sustaining
the values quoted Shorts are still dull
and easy at a discount from the bran
prices. Middlings are only made on orders
in most cases, but full quotations are re-
quired.
FEED AND MEAL-Millers still quote
the same prices that have been in effect
all along, although the trade is too small
to allow much regularity to the market.
Output is small, and corn is scarce. Corn
and oat prices hold very steady in the local
market, although at Chicago the futures
have shown a considerable decline. Corn
and q lacked corn are quoted at 9.75.
Mixed iced. $10@10.75.
BARLEY-BarIey prices have again got
ten down to where spectators are in the
market and the matter of quality cuts
little figure with this trade. This demand
Will not allow prices to get up within the
bounds of reason but will only buy when
the stuff can be had at low values. Com
mission men find it difficult to make sales
at all, and the returns must necessarily be
unsatisfactory. But 1t is found that other
markets are equally low. Prices range
from pc to 23c, according to condition
Choice No. might bring a shade more
FLAX-Still little doing in this product
Local quotation is about SIC under Chi
cago price.
CORN-Offerings of corn were not large,
but as millers are the only buyers and
their wants are limited, prices showed very
little tendency to advance. although May
prices at Chicago were quite firm. No.
corn Dy sample O1fereo quite literally at
24c. The quotation for No. 3 yellow was
Alac. Shippers are doing but little.
OATS-The price of May oats at Chicago
continues to hover around 20c and the
price for the cash stuff here shows little
change from what it was during the great
er part of last week. Buyers were plenty
and in want of the goods No of good
quality sold early at TIA. The general
quotation for that grade, however, was
171ac. No. white quoted generally at 1Sc,
although choice lots by sample were sala-
BILE at something above that.
RYE-Practically nothing doing In rye.
No. 2 nominally quoted at 3O11c.