The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-14
All Reports From Distributive Trade
Centres are Good.
CROP ADVICES NOT so FAVORABLE
But the Higher Range of Prices Prom
ises n Profitable Balancc-Strcngth
in Manufacturing Lines is
Well Nigh Universal.

NEW YORK, oct. 13.-Bradstreets to-
morrow will say:
Trade activity is widespread, all meas
ures Of volume and value testifying to
prevailing prosperous conditions Only
good reports are received from distribu-
tive trade centres. and some markets re-
port fall demand as holding out longer
than expected. Railroad earnings bank
clearings, returns. and quotations of sta
pie prices. are all encouraging, pointing
as they do to a maximum volume Of bus
mess for this period Of the year.
Crop returns for October bear out car
lier Impressions Of shortened yields Of
most leading agricultural products. EX-
pectations Of more moderate yields Of
leading cereals is not confined TO this
country. The worlds wheat crop will adj
mittedly be smaller. The rye, barley and
oats yields are expected TO be as large
as a year ago. The higher range of
prices Of all staples. and particularly OF
agricultural products, however, will FUR
nish a profitable balance TO producers.
The advance I'm the price of cotton has
been a notable one. and though some re-
action is mutually noted. the effects upon
general trade and industry of the great
advance are particularly beneficial. as
the South alone has appeared 10 lag be-
hind
I'm the manufacturing branch OF the
trade strength is well nigh universal
Advances have been numerous. and
scarcity of goods rather than of demand,
is the main subject Of complaint. While
Il. a.
Transvaal situation has proved rather
favorable to wheat and other cereals,
onsetting heavy increases IN visible sup
plies
FOREIGN DEMAND GOOD.
The llberality OF foreign demand is
perhaps best shown in the September
report Of exports Of the leading products.
Shipments OF breadstuffs We're as large
as those Of August and there was natur-
ally u heavy gain i'm cotton exports
which are double those of the same
month a year ago. Totals of leading ex-
ports show an increase of . per cent.
over September a year and over Septem-
Der. 1896. which witnessed very heavy
shipments Of breadstun
Coal production is particularly heavy
but 4 scarcity OF cars is complained o.
in this and in the coke industry. with the
a disturbing element as regards the sup
ply Of anthracite In the West
Iron and steel are active as 20 produc-
ton, but new business is limited by the
small quantities available for nearby de-
livery. Liberal orders are sdll reported
for the first half of next year. and steel
rails are reported tending upward at the
West
Paper IS in specially active demand at
present, new varieties owing 70 low water
being reported practically out Of the mar
ket.
Sugar refining furnishes one exception
70 the reports Of general prosperity, and
production is decreasing partly. OF
course. owing to the season. but also TO
the Generalization growing out or price
cutting.
Wool is very firm, though Quieter in
some markets. while the manufactured
product is selling we'll on next springs
account
Tobacco is reported very generally act
I've at nearly all markets West and
East
Shoe manufacturers are busy. and leath-
er and hides are sympathetically strong
In price.
Lumber is in urgent demand at many
markets in spite Of the advanced stage
Of the season, and prices are firm.
GRAIN EXPORTS.
Wheat. including -four shipments for
the week aggregate 5.265,63i bushels
against 5,1S3.39S bushels last week. 3,729.-
995 I'm the corresponding week Of 1s9s;
5.s9j72O bushels IN 1897; 4l56,S17 bushels
in 1896. and 2,409 li6 I'm 1895.
Since July 1st this season, the exports
of wheat aggregate G0.95jG7 bushels
against J7.22S ZIG bushels last year, and
G.. 920.132 bushels I'm 1S91-9S
Corn exports for the week 3,S3G.78 BUSH
els against 4.23S7i9 bushels last week,
2.70s 292 bushels I'm this week n year ago,
2.22i7i6 bushels in 1897; 17i1.6lO bushels
I'm 1896. and lGs0G72 bushels in 1895. Since
July lst, this season, corn exports aggre-
gate Gf7G,l59 bushels against 42,36.2D
bushels during the same period year
ago. and 5Si2SlS bushels in 1878
Business failures, 16S in the United
States as compared with 1i6 last week.
pc in this week "A year ago, l9G I'm 1897;
279 in 1896 and go in 1895
Business failures I'm Canada numbered
10 as compared with p last week. % this
week a year ago, A I'm 1897; 30 In 1896, and
q fu rsQ5