The age-herald., 1898-10-29

week than for some time past, but 'neas- u1ed by all the usual standards oI busi- ness development the situation is one or exceptional activity and even strength. The active foreign demand at advancing prices for American cereals and their pro- ducts appeared to have cuiminated early in the week in a virtual "war scare" market in which the highest prices reached since early in August were recorded The re- action shown, however, has been small on, testifying to nervousness both at home and abroad, growing out of the exception ally small gains in worlds supplies reports of damage to wheat in the fields in the northwest and in Manitoba, active milling demand for wheat at home, Minneapolis breaking all records of flour production for the week al continuance of the talk or rather less than anticipated out turns Of crops abroad, noted for some time past. Evidences of reaction in prices are not confined to wheat, but extend to lard and coffee among food products, Bessemer pig iron lead and cotton while markets for other cereals, pork and beef, copper ana print cloths, have remained steady and un- changed. In distributive trade reports or bad weather interfering with regular de- mand and collections, but other stimulat- ing retail trade in heavy winter goods, coming west and northwest whence also some advices of bad reads, crippling far mers' ability to deliver wheat to market. Against this, however, must be cited the fact that primary receipts of wheat are Ill excess of one year ago, and for the season are fully equal to those of last year. A great burst of activity in nearly all lines has followed the freeing of the lower Mississippi valley sections from the nu- merous uuarantines, and country buying is reported active, being partially stimu- later by colder weather in that section. From the Pacific coast, particularly Puget nd vices are of very active trade, heavy grain receipts being largely absorbed by mills working on export orders and Of increas- ing trade with our new dependencies. Here at the east the tone of business re- mains rather quiet.
 The industrial situation has many points of interest. The cotton goods trade is close ly following the workings of the plan or restriction adopted by the Fay River print cloth mills Much Is hoped for from the reduction in output pledged to occur be- tween now and February l. Mills employ ing $500 operatives shut down this week. but the non-inclusion of mills producing similar goods in other New England cities and lack of knowledge of the extent to which those concerned will seek to extend the foreign outlet for those goods are un- certain features in the outlook for con- tinuance of present firm quotations. The movement of the raw product to market stimulated to some extent by removals of quarantine restrictions, is now far in ad- vance-300 900 bales at least-of last year, and expectations of a heavier crop than last year is bearish feature more than off-setting reports of killing frost through out the south. Prices are consequently lower and speculation larger. Sales of wool are of increased volume, but much of this, particularly at Boston, is reported moved at concessions, caused by changing of bank loans. The manufactured products remain slow of sale at lrst hands, but ad- vices of good retail buying are more nu- merous as result of cold, indictment weather, particularly west and south. The iron and steel situation continues without much change, though shading of prices of Bessemer pig iron and billets testify to the desire of producers to maintain activity in the face of confessedly quieter tone of bus mess.
 In other industries the report is generally of plenty of work, but at prices which tend to confirm the views of those who claim that profit margins have been permanently reduced.
 Since July 1, this year, the exports of wheat aggregate 66,771 ,SSO bushels against 7S,2SS.594 bushels last year, and corn 56, ,77S,- Sl0 bushels and 4S609,554 bushels, respect lively.