The news & observer., 1900-12-29
LIGHT TRADE IN CEREALS
Prices as a Rule Steady With Few
Changes.
IRON AND STEEL REPORTS ENCOURAGING
The Same is True Of Shoes and Leather, Lum-
Der, Glass and Spring Dry Goods.
Coke Prices Promise TO
hu | Wpr
(By The Associated Press.)


New York, Dec. 28.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
"A fitting close to year of exceptional
and in some respects unprecedented ac-
tivity is furnished By the very general
report of large holiday business in the
past week. The best reports as to this
sort of trade come from the Southwestern
section, but except in some parts of the
spring wheat and lumber belt of the
Northwest, satisfactory advances are
quite general. Heavyweight clothing. too,
has been measurably helped for the same
reason, but despite good business dur
ing the past week further trade has
apparently Jagged somewhat, due to mild
weather. In wholesale trade business has
been of seasonably small proportions, but
reports from leading lines as iron and
steel, shoes and leather lumber. glass
and spring dry goods. have been en-
couraging chiefly, of course as regards
e views entertained as to the outlook
Father than as to new business actually
accomplished. Stock taking is now in
progress.
Speculation in cereals has been light
and increases in supplies and large sur
stfff further depressed the long interest
insswheat. Corn has sympathiZed with
Wheat, and country offerings and receipts
have been heavier, though complaints as
to dpality are still almost universal.
"The corn crop is the fourth largest in
our history and oats is next to the larg
est ever known. Worlds wheat supplies
are about on a par with those of a year
H.
smaller.
'"Prices as a rule are steady and
changes are few. The conspicuous ad-
vances are in refined petroleum on ex-
port account and some gain is noted in
tin on the week. although the close is
below the highest. Coffee is fractionally
higher Lard is weaker. but by far the
largest list of staples is unchanged Cot
!. ton has been dull on slightly larger re-
ceipts. Cotton goods have been quiet
and clearance sales by iobbers are the
feature. Wool has been quiet but steady
Fair orders for women's dress goods
for spring are noted Shoe manufacturers
report mills busy and some are indiffer-
ent to new orders at present prices.
New business in iron and steel was
we'll sustained and cutie good for the
period under review. The impression pre-
walls that an immense amount of heavy
bridge material will be needed next year
From Birmingham come intimations that
"a large business in pig iron is under
consideration and may be announced next
week. Coke prices promise to be lower
some cuts of so to 40 cents being already
announced. Export trade is cuieter, a
reflection of the continued decline in
prices abroad. Iron ore shipments will
run nearly 100000 tons, the largest
ever recorded
wheat including flour, shipments for
the week aggregate 4.011 105 bushels
against 4,123,350 bushels last week;
3610, ,557 bushels in the corresponding
week of 1899; 6,292,62 bushels in 1898;
5.495, ,061 bushels in 1897. and 2,707, 79C
bushels in 1896. From July 1st TO date
this season wheat exports are 81, 151, 455
bushels, against 1O3, 1894, 1913 bushels last
season, and 121, ,528, 729 bushels in 189S-'99
Corn exports for the week aggregate
1855, 1866 bushels, against 5,465,57S bush
els last week; 3,226.235 bushels in this
week a year ago; 3,659,745 bushels In
1898; 4,OS6, ,S66 in 1897, and 2,742.994 bush
els in 1896. From July 1st this season
corn exports are 94,240,16 1859 bushels
against III, ,587.145 bushels last season
and SO,95O, ,639 bushels in 189S-'99.
Business failures in the United States
for the week number only 21S, as against
262 last week; 22O a year ago, and 297 in
1897"
HESTER'S COTTON STATEMENT.
New Orleans, La, Dec. 28.-Secretary
Hester's weekly New Orleans Cotton Ex-
change statement shows for the % days
of December an increase over last year
of 309 900 bales. For the 119 days of the
season that have elapsed the aggregate is
ahead of the 119 days of last year 6OS,-
900 bales.
The amount brought into sight during
CASTORIA ForInfants md CHA en-
The Kind YOE Have AiwaVS Sought