Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-02-17
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.

The Cincinnati Price Current of last
Thursday says
The winter wheat area is now prac
tically eli bare of snow, and much OF
it has been suffering more or less from
freezing and thawing conditions for
several days. In portions Of Indiana
and Illinois there is decided apprehen-
sion of injury, but it does not yet ap-
pear that the extent of positive dam
age has been particularly important.
IN most of Ohio, Kansas. etc the con
ditions are generally very encouraging.
While the present conditions are in
contrast with the favorableness which
has so generally prevailed during this
winter it is not yet in order to assume
that ali unusual extent of drawbac
has overtaken the crop. 1t is in fact
more consistent with the prevailing
evidence that the position is one which
with favorableness hereafter admits of
average results or better.
The recent cold weather bettered the
road conditions. and more produce has
been moved recently in many sections.
There is, however, the continuance of
restraining influence on the free sell
ing of wheat and corn by the general
ly prevailing Eope or expectation OF
higher prices.
In the instance of corn. the curren t
prices of cattle and hogs. and expecta
tions as to the future, afford SO good q
margin in feeding operations that the
great surplus of this grain is confident
| " held. The season has been an ex-
ceptionally favorable one in feeding
results, there being little of weather
conditions to interfere with the fatten-
ina. process. Current information as
to condition of hogs shows that such
stock has not been hurried forward
and has been steadily gaining in flesh.
| The wheat markets have not develop
ed much that is new the past week, and
the close at Chicago is moderately low
er than week ago. The holder of a
great quantity of wheat in commercial.
channels has manifestly been looking
| around to find assistance in letting go,
He is credited with having load of
| about 10, 900, 900 bushels-say 6 per cent
of the entire quantity of wheat now in
the country. 1t should not disturb
market conditions very seriously, out
side of possible contract obligations on
the part Of short sellers, if the gre at
merchant" ehouid be permitted to car
ry his load until another season is
reached.
Surprise has been expressed in some
directions that Argentina wheat has
not moved more quickly. When the
statistcians in the European buying
markets are most persistently holding
up to view the assurance that actual
scarcity is to occur little later on,
why should not the Argentine seller
be expected to be little tardy in his
offering? He is supplying near by re
quirements, and counting on higher
prices from Europe later on.
May wheat at Chicago closed
| 11c below the highest point of the
week, 14c above the lowest point, and
&c higher than week ago.
Corn at Chicago FOR May clos
ed &c below the highest point of the
week. 14c above the lowest point and
&c higher than week ago
Wheat receipts at primary markets
were 2 .6ol 600 bushels for the week
against 2,O33.0o0 the preceding week
and 1903, 600 last year.
Corn receipts were 100000 bushels
against 2,o10,G00 the preceding week
and 5 ,221, 600 last year.