The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-06
NAVAL STORES.
REPORT.


New York, February 2.-Bradstreet's
tomorrow will say: Weather infiu-
ences have played m small part in the
general rade situation this week. and
yet some of the UNDERSTANDABLE i'm
provement in tone can hardly lie
charged to the more seasonable wealth
er experienced. Whatever the causes.
however, and these have been diverse,
the fact remains that a number OF sta
pies, no less than speculative securi-
ties, have hardened in value during the
week. One industry, that OF anthra-
cite coal, prices in which had begun
to droop because of the open winter,
has been perceptibiy braced The in
~fiuencetof colder weather, too. Is per-
ceptible in the wheat market. Much
Of the winter sown crop is unprotect-
ed by snow, and other influences of
strength in this market have been the
reports as to foreign crops. the Argen-
tine plague and consequent strength OF
European adViceS.
Among products not effected by cur
rent weather conditions. however.
might be mentioned the south's great
staple, cotton, which, owing largely to
the better foreign buying and the re-
ported abandonment of extremely
large English crop estimates, a
reached the highest point for a NUM-
Der of years. y
There is little comfort to the hopes
for lower prices in the reports from
the iron trade this week. 1t is true that
some concessions have been made from
the high points reached on a number
of products. but the concessions in pig
iron are claimed to nave been few,
and mostly on the product OF furnaces
recently put in blast. whose output had
not been contracted for. Inquiry at the
leading iron markets OF the country
fail to indicate any widespread weak
ening, as the concessions are claimed
to have been really in the nature OF re-
adjustments.
The steel situation is not over clear,
and some business is reported possible
at concessions of 81 to 81 a ton, where
the product has not yet been contract
ed ahead. Some export busiuess in
rails to Norway Is reported this week.
while from Birmingham come reports
of some good sales OF pig iron. with
further export business checked by ad-
vancing freight rates. The production
Of leading southern interests is re-
ported sold up to July. Iron trade trad
ers are slow to predict beyond that
date but the strength OF foreign mar
kets is regarded az a guarantee
against any possible perpendicular
drop in domestic quotations.
In distributive trade the reports for
$50 ASDtAtA "
branches of trade concerned. Retail
distribution was undoubtedly ~unfavor-
ably affected by mild weather. and
stocks OF retailers in some sections OF
the country are reported large On
spring account, however. the Janu-
airy business appears to nave been In
a high degree satisfactory. shipments
from leading centres being much heav-
Ter than in January a year ago. what
ever complaints were received on back
ward business being attributed to earl
Ter buying having anticipated the reg
ular season
Wooden goods are holding the ad-
vances recently asked and raw wool Is
firm, though sales are smaller than for
some weeks past, owing, IL Is claimed.
to domestic stocks OF desirable wool be-
ing~small. London auction sales wit
messed good prices obtained for good
lots. but considerable quantities were
carried over and ~undisposed of.
The current demand for shoes re-
mains quiet. Weather conditions have
been against a large distribution OF
winter footwear, but eastern manufac-
turers are reported busy on new goods.
Leather is dull, but hides are no weak
er. The strength OF sugar and coffee
among groceries Is no less pronounced
than Of late. raw and refined grades
Of the former having again been mark
ed VI and small crop reports being
mad the basis Of further strength In
coffee.
Wheat. including -four. shipments for
the week aggregate 2.724,937 bushels,
against 1851, 1877 bushels last week, g.
SIS. AIS. bushels in the corresponding
week in 1893. 3.s35.03 bushels in 1883,
3.1ss. 74s bushels I'm 1897 and 2,907, 354
bushels in 1896. Since July LIST, this
season, the exports of wheat aggregate
120. 109. 965 bushels. against 80. 81. GO
bushels last year and 150. 230, 033 BUSH
els in 1878.
II you have catarrh, rheumatism. or