Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-14
WEEKLY TRADE REVIEW.
PRICES OF STAPLES GAIN FUR
THEIR GROUND.
(By Telegraph to vlrgin,an-PIlot.,

(By Telegraph to vIrgin,an-PIlot.,
Tomorrow will say:
Perhaps the most notable features of
the trade situation at present is the
strength of prices of nearly all staples.
particularly Of cereals, cotton, iron
and steel. which have apparently gain
ed further ground since the first OF
the year.
Explanation of the strength of wheat
is. of course, found In the good cash
demand which seems to meet any slight
reaction in values and which has plac-
Ell the price at Il point as high as at
any previous time for three months
past. This cereal and corn are both in
exceptionally good demand abroad,
judging from the large exports report
ed and good foreign demand is like
wise the secret of strength in cotton,
shipments of which continue heavy a
feature of dealings i'll this staple is the
ready demand for good grades and the
indifference manifested toward low
grades, which. owing to the bad wealth
er at the South. are in larger than us
ual supply. Cotton manufactures in
deed. have been complaining for some
time OF the low spinning quality and
waste of the present crop.
are not SO numerous as in recent weeks,
further advances in prices, notably of
pig iron, steel billetS, plates and rods,
bear testimony 10 the eagcrness of buy
crs TO secure supplies and the almost
corresponding Indifference of the trade
toward new business, order books of
most OF the mills being reported well
filled. Pig iron production is the heav-
lest ever known but stocks show fur
Their depletion. The successful floating
of II number OF large consultations in
this Industry of late has naturally slim
uatcd interest and discussion in fur
Their consolida tons
The formation of syndicateS, how
ever. is not confined to iron and steel
because within the week there are re-
ports of a projected great tobacco syn
dictate. having for its object the secur-
ing of control OF the entire Cuban sup
ply this year.
Among other rumors of consultations
is the story from the Pacific coast of a
proposed consolidation of salmon can
nerS. Tin plates show the effect of the
consolidation IN this line in an advance
from the low figure reached some
months ago. The. strength of cotton
goods is still a feature of the dry goods
market. but the hoped-for advance in
raw wool has not yet materializcd, and
the trade III manufactured woolens is
still slow.
The feeling of confidence in the lum-
her trade is undated. and an active
demand is looked for in the spring. the
strength of hard woods being n par
ticular feature in this connection.
In other industries activity is a fea-
ture, u notable instance being the
heavy vessel tonnage now being built
both ut the lakes and on the sea coast,
aSgregating for mercantile and nation
nj purposes n total claim to he far in
excess of any previous period iii the
country's history.
Wheat. including -four. shipments for
the week aggregate 5.6i7,07l bushels,
agains, G.SG026 bushels last week: D.
999,5i7 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1885, 3.9tS,l5o bushels in 1897:
800, l24 bushels in 1896. and 1904 459
bushels in 1895 Since July | this seas
on the exports OF wheat aggregate 1884,
035.0iS bushels, against 1877. ZAP sol BUSH
els last year.
Corn exports for the week aggregate
3.2s7.072 bushels. against 4S4i.2SS BUSH
els last week; 4,Gil $50 bushels in this
week n year ago. 3,757.2Sl bushels in
1897: 333G.0l7 bushels in 1896, and Gel.
257 bushels in 1890
Since July this season corn exports
aggregate S3.99i 800 bushels. against
SS,4ii,4S bushels during the same pc
riod a year ago.
business failures for the week show
an increase over the preceding week,
numbering 1914. against 237 last week
but comparing with 323 in this week a
year ago; AIS in 1897: Az in 1896. Ca
madam failures for the week number
"a, against &c last week: IS in this week
"A year ago; % in 1897; II in 1896 and CT
in 1895.