The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-01

New York, July 2S.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say: Weather conditions
exercise their natural effect upon
volume Of current business, which is,
however, larger than a year ago, and
restrict speculation, therefore, limiting
the volume Of bank clearings without,
however, exercising any particular In
fiuence upon prices, which display
nearly all their old irmness and NJ
fact, show still further advances i'm
several lines.
Official statistics Of pig iron produc-
ton for the first half OF 1899 point TO
the lagest production on record having
been insufficient to offset current de-
mand, and stocks at the close OF the
half year are far below what they were
at the opening or at this time one year
ago. Special activity in the iron and
steel industry is reported at Chicago,
where heavy advances have been made
in finished products and numerous
shipments are reported. not only to
Ohio and Pennsylvania, but as far east
, as Boston. Every blast furnace in the
Birmingham district is expected to be
in operation by the advent OF autumn,
VI lHt plOuuSlioh hOl AAO y PNsk
of the year 1899. which promises to be
| enormous, has all been booked.
The glass trade Is reported particu-
larly active, and conditions in that in
dustry are said to be the best for years
past.
The cereal markets note little change
in prices, but trade opinion seems to
/ favor steady demand and few f1uctua-
tons, in view of admittedly large nee
essary takings by foreigners. Liberal
rains at the south, particularly in the
Atlantic coast states, have improved
cotton prospects, and a slight shading
in prices to be noted for the week.
Among the metals, tin has displayed
exceptional strength, largely in SYM
pathy with heavy advances abroad,
| claimed to have a legitimate basis in
heavily increased consumption without
| a corresponding output of the raw ma
| terial.
Smaller arrivals and heavily reduced
stocks OF raw sugar, added TO large sales
| of refined, lave resulted in an advance
| in the former product.
Lumber is strong in price and some
building operations are reported inter-
| ferred with.
Tobacco is firm and cigar leaf scarce,
pointing to good prices being realized
by holders.
Among the textiles, cotton goods re-
tain all their old strength. Fall de-
mand for dry goods is increasing, but
| complaints Of slow delivery are more
frequent
Manufacturers Of wooden goods are
purchasing more freelyfof fine domestic
| grades and prices tend upward, al
though there is less speculative buying
| reported at leading markets.
Business failures for the week num-
Der 10, against TIA last week, 1S9 in
| this week a year ago, 259 in 1897, 794
in 1896 and 221 in 1895.
Wheat, including -four, shipments for
the week aggregate 3,366,432 bushels,
against 3,408, 073 bushels last week,
| 2,371, 872 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1898, 2,343, OBJ in 1897, 2,648, TAB
bushels in 1896 and 1,460, GIT in 1895.
| Since July LIST this season, the exports
Of wheat aggregate 49, 97, 292 bushels,
against 10,314,S10 bushels last year and
| $780, 47 bushels in 1897.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3,7O0,320 bushels, against 3,666,294
bushels last week, 2,601 ,821 in this
week a year ago, 1882, us bushels in
1897, 1,495, 812 bushels in 1896 and 594,-
S65 bushels in 1895. Since July LIST,
this season, corn exports aggregate 49,
O17,4T bushels, against 10,657,469
bushels during the same period q yeas
| apo And 90 211 htShalc in 1SQ7-eS.