The San Francisco call., 1899-04-15

shadowing. on the basis of last falls largely
increased acreage, yield little below that of
last season. The unanimity of later damage
reports would seem to point to full Information
regarding the crop not being obtainable at the
date when the Government advices were gath
cred. The indifference with which the Gov
ernment crop report was received has appar-
has been done, and wheat prices for the first
time this season may be said this week to have
actually reflected crop damage reports.
Other cereals are but little changed, While
the movement of our breadstuffs abroad at
present seems to be on a lessening scale. Among
the favorable features coming to light this
week might be mentioned the receipt of con-
tinued good railroad earnings reports. advices
of widespread industrial activity accompanied
by rather less than usual friction, reflected
in strikes for higher wages, and largely i'm
proved distribution of wool, which appears to
have awakened at last from its long sleep. Sales
OF this staple, indeed, are the heaviest reported
for many years past, both inside and out
side combinations having bought freely of
territory and other domestic grades. Large
quantities of wool, however. have been bought
for re-export. English buyers bidding freely
for high grade Australian sorts. The strength
of raw sugar has finally been reflected in
higher rates for refined, hard grades of which
firm at the advance, while soft grades have
crop will be smaller than last year, and the
weather in Louisiana is reported still unfayor-
featuring tewelry trade are in high degree
favorable. some estimates pointing to rs per
cent more business being done this spring than
year ago. while the retail trade is of good
tone and collections improved. The iron and
steer INDUSTRY remains firm, though the tone
of the market in general is quieter. Pigiron
production is increasing. but consumptive
qurements are still urgent. The lumber mar
ket is active at wholesale; stocks are small and
prices manifest aggressive strength. There is
a fair demand for coal, but milder weather
tends to discourage large sales.
Current demand for dry goods at the East is
quieter, though fall orders are reported notably
good and dress wooens in satisfactory de-
mand. Boots and shoes are firm at the ad-
vance made over the seasons opening quota
tions.
The strength of prices in March renders COM
parisons with earlier periods interesting.
Compared with a year ago the general level
of values is per cent higher while there is an
advance shown of nearly 40 per cent from the
low-water level of October, 1896.
Wheat, including flour, shipments for the
week aggregate !, $50 619 bushels against 3,3S4,-
500 last week. 4,425.S02 in the corresponding
week of 1898, 1344, OH in 1897, 579 in 1896
and 8. 165. .269 in 1895. Since July l, this season,
the exports of wheat aggregate 100, 32s, 1870 bush
els, against 1SS 272, $50 last year.
Business failures for the week number 24S,
as against 1870 last week, 215 in this week a year
ago, 1876 in 1897, A4 in 1886 and 2lS in 1895. Bus
ness failures in the Dominion of Canada num-
Der 25 against 81 last week, q in this week
a year ago. SO in 1897, "a in 1896 and % in 1895.