Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-03-11
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.
The Cincinnati Price Current OF las
Thursday says:.-

The Cincinnati Price Current of last
Thursday says
Within the past week the tempera-
ture was lowered in the Central West
to point Occasioning pretty hard
freezing, followed by snow and rains
in 4 portion of the region. So far as
the growing wheat crop is con.
cerned the change in general position
is not important. Complaints are some
what more numerous and more posi-
tive as to injured or unpromising con-
di'ion of the crop in various sections
in Illinois, and to a less extent in In
diana and Missouri, but elsewhere such
Indications are the exception, and the
general average continues to favor
good results, although it may be said
that conditions at this juncture are not
as uniformly favorable as could be de
sired.
The indications now are that the
present season will furnish good il
lustration of the ability of short crop
to prove long one, SO to speak.
through the influence of economies and
changes in uses of products under the
recognition OF shortage in supplies.
The abundance and cheapness OF other
food articles have not only displaced
wheat to some extent, but have pre-
cluded that advance in values which
would naturally he looked for other
wise, under conditions such as appear
to surround the question of supplies
this year.
The changes in the wheat market the
past week resulted in moderate ad-
vance at Chicago in the closing posi-
ton compared with a week ago. The
trade, however, appears to be IN a
hesitating mood, and while generally
reasoning that the situation should
justify more confident tendency still
is being governed by an apprehension
that any better shaping is liable to be
only temporary. The crop news will
henceforward be an important factor
in influencing speculative sentiment,
and unsettled markets may be the re
suit. 1t would seem reasonable after
the lull that has occurred, with the re-
duced movement of wheat toward the
milling points and the foreign markets,
that more activity should be develop
ed.
The Chicago corn market closes
some what lower than week ago. This
grain is in such plentifulness and COM
mands such unsatisfactory prices that
the feeding of it to animals is being
done to unusual extent. generally
wastefully, and thus the long crop,
while it can not be turned into a short
one this season, may waste away faster
than generally calculated on, and if
the start OF sise new crop should be I'M
favorable there will be a chance for a
decided change in sentiment as to
values of this grain.
In some OF the winter grain districts
there is planned the seeding of spring
wheat, and he lessening of the area of
corn and oats, To what extent
such changes may occur can not be
reliably estimated. The prevailing be-
lief is that the seeding of spring wheat
will be decidedly enlarged this season.
May wheat at Chicago closed 15c be-
low the highest point of the week, lie
above the lowest point, and &c higher
than a week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed Sc
below the highest point OF the week,
4c above TIE lowest point OF the week.
and 4c higher than week ago.
Wheat rec ipts at primary markets
were 538,GJ0 bushels for the week
against 1,712,000 the preceding week
and 3 $50 00l last year.
Corn receipts were 1907, 900 bushels,
against 46I4,000 the preceding week,
and 3.977, 00) last year.