Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-18
BRADsrnEET's REVIEW OF TRADE,
Prospects for Spring Trade Brighten
ing ard BUSINESS Good.

NEW YORK, Feb. 17.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Following the long-continued cold wave,
eliminating in snow and sleet storms and
Indictment weather generally throughout
nearly all sections of the country, come re-
ports Of good spring trade and efforts TO
ascertain the extent to which the material
issues have suffered. All things considered
the damage so far indicated, while serious in
SINE sections, has proved less than might
have been expected in view Of the severity Of
the visitation. Exception IS of course made
in the case of the winter wheat crop, from
which trustworthy reports as to damage are
not forthcoming az this early period of the
year.
From the south come reports OF more seri-
Gus damage. particularly to the growing
fruit and vegetable crops. Even here, low
ever, permanent. damage, aside from the re-
ported loss Of tho unpicked cOtt-n. seems 10
be conferred tr the states OF Georgia, Florida
and Louisiana.
Satisfactory reports of a spring distribu-
tinn come from the west, induced by a con-
siderable rise in temperature and a good wi
uue OF business is reported in the east and
in the middle states as n result of the de-
layed mail orders, though transportation Is
Still inteTfered with. Receipts Of live stock
have bCCu checked at western c~enters, but
estimates Of losses OF cattle do not much ex-
coed i per cent, ranging downward % as
low as . per cent and this only In the case
OF Cg-.ie on the ranges.
A satisfactory business seems to be doing
on the Pacific coast and export business is
firm. San Francisco reports considerable
conservatism among dealers, On account OF
dry weather.
A good volume Of business has been done
at New York and Boston, following the
stormy weather and business in dry goods,
particularly %cottons, has been fairly active
with values frmer or tending upward. A
better business is reported In dress woolens
also and an Improvement Is even reported in
mems wear goods for fall delivery. Bust
ness in wool has naturally been quiet, but
Boston reports large transactions in foreign
woods pending. Among the industries, iTon
and steel are extremely active and further
advances are reF-rtcd, shared in by sympa-
thetic gains in copper and spelter. Con-
sumers of pig iron, who delayed covering
their wants, are reported anxious regarding
supplies Of materials.
A regrettable feature. from one point OF
view. Is the growing Indifference on the part
OF American producers toward export de-
mand, though excuse f5r this Is found In the
fact that domestic demand is sufficient 10
keep them fully employed. Ship building is
likely TO be very active and reflection Of this
demand is found in the urgent inquiry for
steel plates at a number Of centers, While
movement has been interfCred with, the
strength OF prices in unchanged.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for the
week aggregate 2,454,771 bushels, against
$50. 500 bushels last week, 3,s32, 744 bushels
in the corresponding week Of 1898, 2.l2O,-
500 bushels in 1897, 3.l49,Ol2 bushels in 1896
and l,S0S,973 bushels in 1895. Since July,
this seasln, the exports OF wheat aggregate
l59.o52 $50 bushels, against l5I4s2, PSI
bushels last year.
Cora exports for the week aggregate / $50
S45 bushels, against S,S65, 622 bushels last
week, 5~,O56,575 bushels in this week a year
ago, 6.441 .42O bushels IN 1897. 1895. O39
bushels in 1896 and ,92.567 bushels in 1895.
Since July l. this season. corn exports ag-
gregate l04 $40, i2l bushels, against 10, 563.-
PAS bushels during the same period a year
ago.
l Business failures show a decrease, num-