Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-22
PRODUCE.

Chicago, December 21.-Corn over
Swallowed everything else on change
to-day, both in strength and activity
Continued heavy cash and export de-
mand drove shorts to cover and re-
suited in an advance of 1850. The
strength of corn influenced all other
markets. Wheat closed 1A@1Sc
higher. Oats advanced sc. Provis-
ions closed 21z@5c higher.
For two hours following the opening
in wheat the market was as dull as it
could possibly be without remaining
at an actual standstill. Trading is al
ways dull around the holidays, but to-
DAY for the period mentioned it was
ridiculously small and confined almost
entirely to a small crowd Of scalpers
The apening was weak and lower.
Liverpool showed declines ranging
from a to ed and Paris also reported
a decline. The weather in Argentine
was reported to have greatly improved
while rains in California continued,
giving promise of a very heavy crop.
Northwest receipts were heavy, Min
neapolis and Duluth reporting S19
cars compared with 716 last week, and
472 year ago. Chicago receipts were
1876 cars, 13 of contract grade. In the
holiday condition of the market this
sort of news did not perceptibly in
crease the selling pressure, but it re-
strained the buying demand. May
opened Ac lower at 66a G667sc. The
market held at about that price for
short time, then slowly but surely de-
veloped strength and activity. Corn
was the big factor. That market got
into new high ground and the sharp
advance rather frightened wheat shorts
who came into the market gradually
increasing numbers. To strengthen
the bull situation Paris reported an
advance in wheat equal to 1011Ac per
bushel. Clearances from Atlantic
ports were large, $4,000 bushels. The
market became very active after noon.
Shorts found considerable difficulty in
covering anything but small lots, and
in the last hour they bid prices up with
d rapidity that was refreshing to trad
ers with wheat for sale. The strength
the market showed also brought in
vestment buyers in and trading very
late in the session was broad and gen
eral. Primary receipts were 1,196,00O
bushels.
The seaboard reported twenty five
loads taken for export. May advanced
to $3.50 shortly before the close, and
that price was asked as the bell sound
ed. Corn opened rather weak and
slightly lower, due to weak cables and
the poor quality of corn receipts but
soon became strong, and during the
latter part of the session was remark
ably active and firm. The cash bust
ness was hampered by scarcity of cars,
but was active nevertheless and the
export demand was again excellent.
Shippers were large buyers against
sales Of cash. This started shorts to
covering, but corn was scarce until
prices had been bid up sharply. Lead
ing bull interests bought aggressively.
Receipts were $50 cars. May ranged
from 1913 to 365s@36Ac and closed
1850 higher at $685. @36%c.
Oats were rather slow but strong.
The advance in corn was the main
factor, causing scattered covering by
shorts all day. Offerings we're limited
at first, but plenty of oats was for sale
at the top Receipts were 2S6 cars.
Shippers were good buyers. May
ranged from 26% to &c and closed &c
higher at &c.
Provisions were comparatively dull
compared with wheat and corn. The
market was rather wobbly at first, due
to heavy foreign markets and free sell
ing by packers The strength of grain
markets brought plenty of buyers into
the market, and the latter part of the
session the market was firm, prices
advancing a little. At the close May
pork was sc higher at 50 721a; May
lard 21a@5c higher at IS 321aG5 35,
and May ribs SC higher at 81 So.
Estimated receipts for Thursday:
Wheat, 166 cars; corn, 457 cars; oats,
266 cars; hogs, 81, 900 head
The leading futures ranged as follows:
iOps ~ wv ~Io.-a