The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-03-28

Mondays sales Of fresh western were
generally at 174c, and it has been the ruling
price since, but at the close receipts are
larger, and prices a shade easier. Larger
supplies and lower prices may be expected
any day.
HAY AND STRAW. The market continues
quiet but the choice grades Of hay show a
hrmer tone, and for such IL is little trouble
to obtain full prices. The demand for the
best hay has improved somewhat, but
lower grades are dull and the latter is even
weaker in prices. The taking off of so
many steamers from this port owing to the
South African war, has reduced the ship
ments OF cattle greatly, and this makes less
call for the cheaper hay. Rye straw is firm
for choice with sales at S14 to 14.50, occa-
sional fancy cars higher.
OATs.-The demand is slow, but offerings
on spot are light, causing prices to rule
firm on about the same basis as a week ago.
Fancy clipped white oats on track billed
through are quoted as about "a to 344c,
with No. 2 clipped white at 324 to 82lc as to
weight. Lower grades range down as to
quality.
FLoUR.-The -four market shows no ma
terial change, the demand being dull, and
it is only few cars here and there that
can be sold. Buyers are paying the market
price where they isre forced to have sup
plies, but it takes very little to meet their
pressing needs, and beyond this no one
seems disposed to CO. Spring patents are
mostly selling at about 50 80 to 1856 for
good brands, but the range is up to $500,
while some very good flours have recently
been sold at S375. There is no life to the
business, and when buyer as enough on
hand to meet his immediate needs he is
through. Winter patents are dull with
1913 to 3.85 covering most sales, but some
choice brands are held higher. Winter
clear aad straights are dull, with about
tn z laI Lou
grades are dull and nominal.
CoRN.-The spot market is yet lightly
supplied, and while the demand is slow,
values hold on a frmer basis. For No. 2
yellow on track billed through to outside
points about 451 to Acc is the range OF sales,
with steamer yellow at about 45 to 45tc.
Lower grades are dull and range down as
to quality and color. Receipts have been
largely for export.
CHEEsE.-Receipts for export, 573. Re-
ceipts continue light and supplies Offering
moderate but demand rather slack. Prices
about as last quoted but with hardly any
sales at over 13c, although some of the best
northern fall twins are held higher. Some
fair to good northern twins selling at II to
123c. Western twins sell slowly at II 10
l25c. Ohio flats quiet at II to 12ac.
WooL.-Domestic receipts to date are a
thousand bales short of last years record
bales in excess of last year. The sales to
date are about the same. The stock in Bos-
ton January was less than last years by
100000 pounds domestic and by 100000
foreign. Western markets are bare of
wool, their slender supplies having been
steadily drained towards this market since
January l. There therefore seems ground
for the action of Western operators and
growers who are preparing to store wool
and wait for more demand. The West is
highly prosperous. Western banks are
offering to aid growers in this movement
and there is no reason why Western will
ingness to carry wool should not be of ma
terial aid in preventing any slump to the
market
LUMBER.-The cheerful account given OF
the market for spruce last week may be re-
peated with emphasis. The local yards are
still buying with freedom and orders from
out Of town are OF good volume. The spring
trade is in fact beginning early and PROM
ises to be Of very satisfactory proportions.
Prices are very firm and from every point
of view the outlook is encouraging. Ban
gor people are all predicting with conf
dence that this will be the busiest shipping
season in twenty years.