The San Francisco call., 1898-01-24
BRILLIANT PROSPECTS CONTINUE

HE improvement in trade already noted shows
 no signs of diminishing. Several lines lagging but general thing the demand for goods IS heavier, factories are better employed and the outlook is satisfactory than for years. The bank clearings of the whole country showed gain last week of 565 per cent the week in ISo7 and the failures again fell off, being only 3oo against 42o in 1897.
 From no section of the country is business re- ported really dull In fact the distribution of mer- chandiSe and manufactured products is good every where The tendency Tn prices Is steadily upward, though no marked advances have been reported of late The railroad earnings thus far in January are 10 per cent larger than during the same period in ISo7 and exports of American products to foreign countries remarkably heavy. The iron trade which has for years been accepted of the best barometers of business is enjoying a pronounced boom The demand for finished products is un- precedented including 100000 tons of steel rails thus far this year. and the Pttsburg works are send ing orders away to other concerns being unable to hll them This extraordinary demand of course af- fleets prices, which are firm in consequence With the exception of cotton which continues dull the - dustral situation is extremely gratifying The woolen trade is stimulated by higher prices for wool abroad owing chiefly to reports of short yield and the de- mand for clothing has been brisk for some time
 Wall street has lately been the weakest spot in the
 
 favorably affected by the Congressional agitation over Cuba and silver. well by the political dis turbances in Asia, which have rendered English in- vestors cautious in placing their funds This eau ton has indirectly affected American shares. of which the English the best and most frequent buyers At the close however, more tone was exhibited by the market for all American securities are inherently strong and would probably be active it not for the disturbing political causes mentioned.
 IA.
 than otherwise. Shipments of corn to Russia and Egypt, the very countries from winch next to the United States, Europe draws the bulk of its SUD- plies, have imparted considerable strength to grain i'll general. Indeed the exports of corn from the United States have been remarkably heavy of late Prices have not luctuaed widely, but they have har dened somewhat, and breadstufs may be cassed as firm with slight upward tendency
 The Pacific Coast is enjoying its share of the pros perity Trade is good all the State. Dealers in provisions say that they never before did so much business in January now. The demand is for all distributve points from Alaska to the equator, and is expected that hams bacon and lard will advance in the near future Hogs have already gone up and firm and in rather light supply at the advance Beef and mutton rule firm at the good prices. Hay has again advanced barley, and corn are quoted higher, and every few days a rise in beans is re- ported The deficiency in grass is giving more firm to the butter market. Dried fruits are looking up and prunes quoted at fractional advance with improved demand for Eastern account Prices for wool, hops and hides maintained though all of these lines are quiet. Merchandise is in good movement and fluctuations few and generally in the direction of higher prices. In fact the ten dency Tn everything IS upward, just as it was down ward year or two ago.
 The outlook for crops is still uncertain Except in or two sections of the State there is plenty oi moisture n the ground thus far, and the grain crop is reported all right though free rains in the spring will be needed Prospects for good fruit yield excellent the long period of cold weather has kept the frutbuds back, thus minimizing the danger from frost later As to the future of the local grains spectators kept the anxious seat by the vagares of the weather but the fact that there has thus far been sharp rise in prices IS good evil dence that serious deficiency Is feared at present
 In brief, wherever the eye Is cast the commercial outlook Is cheering. and unless all signs fail we will have one of the best years for the farmer and mer chant that California has ever seen.