The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-03
.BRADS TlRI. E:E
WEEK.
Weather Influences Play No Small
Partin# IradesSituation.
COTTON HIGHER THAN.FORYEARs5
Iron Trade shors No Signs of Weak
cnin. and the Production OF I
Ecatlin- Southern Intcrcs S is
Sold Up to July.

NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-Bralstreet's to-
morrow will say:
small part in the general trade situation
this week and yet some o fthe un1ues-
tionabie Improvement in .tone caa hardly
be charged to the more seasonable
weather experienced. Whatever the
causes, however, and these have been
diverse the fact remains that number
OF staples, no less than speculative secu-
rites have hardened in value during the
week
prices in which had tegun TO drcp be-
cause of the open winter. has bean
braced. The influence of colder we1ther,
too is perceptibe in the wheat market.
Much of the winter sor1N crop is ll.-s
protected by snow and other influences
of strength in this market have been
the reports as to foreign crops, Inc Ar
sentine plague and consequent strength
or European advices.
Among products not affected by cur
rent weather conditions. however, might
be mentioned the South's great staple,
cotton. which. owing largely to the bet
ter foreign buying and the reported
crop estimates, has reached the highest
point for 4 number of years.
IRON TRADE.
There is little comfort to The hopes for
lower prices in the reports from the iron
trade this week. 1t is true that ssGne
concessions have been made from the
high points reached on q number of
products, but the concessions in pig iron
are claimed to have been few, and mostly
p, ~,
in blast. whose output had not been con-
tracted for. Inquiry at the leading
iron markets of the country fail TO in
dictate any widespread weakening; as
the concessions are claimed TO have been
really in the nature of readjustments.
The steel situation is not over clear, and
some BUSINESS is reported possible at
concessions of 81 and 81 a ton where the
product has not been contracted ahead.
Some export business III rails 10 Norway
IS reported this week. while from Biz
mingham comes reports of some good sales
OF pig iron With further export business
checked by advancing freight rates.
The production of leading southern in
terests is reported sold up to July.
Iron trade. authorities are SLOW to pre-
dict beyond that date but the strength
of foreign markets is regarded as a guar
antae against any possible perpendicular
drop in domestic quotations.
DIS tlJi-..
In distributive trade the reports for the
month OF january vary with the branches
OF trade concerned. .Rstai distribution
was undoubtedly unfavorabIy affected by
mild weather, and stocks OF retailers inA.
some sections Of the country are reported
large.
On spring account. however, thu jan
uary business appears to have besn III a
high degree satisfactory. Shipments from
leading centres beinig much Esavier than
in January q year ago, whatever con-
plants We're received Of backward bust
ness being attributed TO carter buying,
having anticipated the regular season.
Wool!en goods are holding the advances
recently asked and raw wool is firm. /
though sales are smaller than for some
weeks past, owing. it is claimed. to do
nestle stocks of desirable wool being
small. London auction sales witnessed
good prices obtained for good lots. but
considerable quantities We're carried over
undiSpOsed Of
The cotton goods situation remains
apparently a strong one. Backward de-
iiveries are still complained of by con-
verters. and the jobbng business in
spring cottons is a good one. The cur
rent demand for shoes is quiet.
Weather conditions have been against
a large distribution of winter footwear
but eastern manufacturers are reported
busy on new goods
Leather is dull but hides are no
weaker.
The strength OF sugar and coffee among
groceries is no less pronounced than OF
late, raw and refined grades of the
former having been marked up and small
Their strength in coffee.
Wheat. including flour. shipments
for the week, 2,72t.'51 bushels