Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-03-25
STANTON sPECTAToR AND vINDIcAT R.
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.
The Cincinnati Price, Current Of Il
Thursday savs:-

The Cincinnati Price Current of last
Thursday says
The late correspondence adds some
thing to the extent of conviction that
the wheat crop has been damaged BIZ
winter conditions. Heretofore this APP
prehension has been chiefly confined
to Illinois, with occasional instances in
Indiana, Missouri, etc. This week
there appears to be something of the
disappointing nature from some por-
tion of Kansas, where the crop has
heretofore been almost uniformly we'll
spoken of, and where it is still mani
testify in good general promise, as is the
case in the most of Indiana, Ohio.
Michigan, Kentucky, ETC., and espe
cially so on the Pacific coast.
Doubtless there is reason for much
of the damage talk that is now being
put in circulation, but it is not at all
clear that the merit of the situation il
reflected in the extravagant statements
now current from the speculative CEN
tiers as to the condition of the crop in
Illinois, Indiana, ETC., which should be
received with liberal allowance. 1t is
practically impossible to judge with
reliability as to possibilities or prob
dOAlulCo VI t4O WuCdt CIOp udOCl COA
ditions which sometime prevail in
March, or in April. So well has this
been understood by the trade that the
Department of Agriculture was asked
by careful observers upon such matters
to abandon the April report of condi
ton of the wheat crop, because of the
latitude for miscalculation which the
situation at such juncture usually ad
mits of.
The present time is fitting one for
what may be termed suspension of
Judgment concerning the condition of
the wheat crop. It is a time favorable
for the interested operator to introduce
and promulgate with effect statements
calculated to unduly influence the
smaller operator-and there is now a
most Industrious use of the Opportu.
nifty for such work.
| The past week has not been an espe
cially eventful one in the wheat trade
outside of the extravaganza nature OF
crop news distributed by speculative
operators, more especially at the close
of the week. The statistical position
of supplies is Strengthening, and cash
wheat is being advanced, partly from
the strong position with reference to
marketable resources and partly from
undue insignificance given to reports
of damage to the growing crop, the
eastern war question, etc. The May
option at Chicago has been under %
cents all the week, but will change its
position probably in the near future.
1 Cash wheat at Chicago has sold up to
nearly 80 cents for No. 2 red. and at ST
Louis is said to have reached the dol
lar point. But No. 2 spring wheat has
disclosed no such extreme range, sell
ing under the May option price. The
closings at Chicago for May and July
are fractionally lower than week ago
The Chicago corn market has been
fairly steady and closes fractionally
higher than week ago, under mod
erately active demand for this grain
The oats market is without nota BILE
change.
May wheat at Chicago closed &c be
low the highest point of the week, &c
above the lowest point, and &c lower
than a week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed al
the highest point of the week
&c above the lowest point of the week
and &c higher than week ago.
i Wheat receipts at primary markets
were 1.7S3, 900 bushels for the week
lagainst 1,720,Oe0 the preceding week
and 2, 391 900 last year.
Corn receipts were 3, 126, 900 bushels
against 3,S79,000 the preceding week
and 2,756. goo last year.