St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-01-04
BOSTON MARKET.

tory. Reports from all sections Of the
country are favorable, with financial
conditions good and the general ten
dency Of buyers to enlarge their pur-
chases, they looking more to the future
and anticipating their wants than has
been customary during the year that has
just closed. Prices of most staple ar
ticles of merchandise are firm, and In
several instances, where they have been
for some time on an Improbable basis,
there is an improving tendency. Busi-
ness sentiment Is generally In favor Of
a future of prosperous times.
The holiday trade with retailers held
out pretty well during the week, and
there has been good cleaning up In
nearly all lines. The months business
has been large and satisfactory In most
kinds Of dry goods, and several Of the
leading stores had the largest Decem-
ber's trade they ever had
With jobbers and agents the closing
week Of the year Is always inactive in
the way Of receiving orders, but all have
been actively engaged in taking stock
and In other ways preparing for the COM
ing year, which promises to be the be-
ginning of new era of prosperity. Cot
tons have already taken a strong turn,
and several makes have established an
advance. This is particularly noticeable
In print cloths and heavy brown and
bleached goods. Woolens are In more
satisfactory position, and orders are
steadily increasing.
Tn, hnofc a nd a nd 0nrG-
dent tone Is maintained, and manufac-
turers are looking for steady increase
of business after the turn Of the year.
The shipments from Boston show fair
increase over last year, but not as much
as was indicated few months ago. 1t
has been a very close year for profits,
and the results are not altogether salts
factory.
Leather holds a steady position, with
prospects of more activity in the year
to come. Hides have held full degree
of strength during the week, with light
offerings at all points in the interior.
! Stocks of wool here and at all the lead
| Ing markets of the country, as well as in
manufacturers and grocers' hands, are
large, but the demand for the staple,
stagnant during the greater portion of
the past year, has been more active dur
ing the past few weeks than for some
time previous, and there is hopeful
feeling in the trade that better and more
profitable times are ahead. Prices are
low, but are steadier just now than they
have been for several weeks.
The grain markets have been unsettled
and active in the speculative branch.
Early last week there was downward
tendency in wheat, which reached its
climax on Thursday, when prices made
severe break. 1t was then predicted
that a reaction had set in. But the ac-
ton of the market on Friday showed that
such was not the case, for on that day
the heaviest advance of the week was
scored. Saturday the market was not as
strong as the previous day, but there was
firm undertone and values slightly
advanced, with the closing quotation for
May at Chicago Tx to IT'S cents, COM
pared with 719s cents on Friday and 6S7s
cents at the previous weeks closing. The
advance has perhaps gone far enough
to suggest caution, but broad bull cam
DdlSu Is tNtbSHliy way anu WI
body interested seems possessed with the
idea that still further material advance
Is to take place
The -four market Is very firm on
higher wheat, but there has been mod
crate business on the whole, though
rather more demand Is reported. With
the mills production keeps up remark
ably we'll and for the closing week of
the year millers state that business has
been good. Spring wheat patents are
quoted on this market at 81 to 1920
spring bakers at So to $3.50, winter wheat
patents at 1896 to $500, and winter clears
and straights at $3.50 to $3.50 per barrel
as to quality.
The market for corn has been less
strong than that for other cereals. Satur.
day prices declined and oats ruled steady
At Chicago the closing quotation for
May was 3Sis cents bid, compared with
$685. cents bid at the close on Friday
Larger country offerings and increasing
receipts are the causes for the weak
ness On the local market corn has been
selling at AZ to Az cents for old and 40 to
45b cents for new. Shippers Saturday
offered corn to arrive at AZ cents for old
Chicago No . yellow, and new at 45la
cents for No. yellow and As cents for
country yellow.
There Is a steady and fairly active
market for oats, with little change in
the general situation. At Chicago
May closed at 2Sh to 2SA cnts, COM
pared with 2SA cents on Friday. The
local market for oats Is steady, with
small supplies offering, and good clipped
selling at S6ls to cents, and fancy
at S7h to 3S cents, while shippers offer
to sell to arrive at SO to S61s cents for 81
to SS pounds
Millfeed is firm and quiet. Bran al
STATS for spring and $1l75 for winter
Middlings range from $14.50 to $16.75 and
mixed feed from $l5.75 to SIT. Red dog
-four at SITE, and eottonseed meal al
s2175 per ton.
The butter market has been inactive
with sales mostly In small lots, so tina
prices are to large extent nominal
All ruled steady on basis of 20is to q
cents for choice fresh creamery, will
, some selections at 21h cents. Cold stor
age stock at 10 to 1915 cents. Receipts
for the week, 500, 1856 pounds, including
1850 pounds for export, against 653,17.
, pounds the previous week and GAL Ill
pounds corresponding week last year
Receipts for year, 50,609,552 pounds
against 1,107, 03S pounds in 1897.
Cheese has passed through a quie
week, but the market has gained
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