The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-17
VALUES OF FARM
PRODUCTS RISE
The Advance is in Cereals,
Pork and Cotton.
SUPPLY OF CORN SMALL
Some Belief That Cotton's Highest
Point Has Been Reached.
WOOL IS STEADY, SH0E-MAKfRS BUSY
Copper is Stronger, Lead Firm But Lower
Anthracite Coal Going Down. Btu
minous Firm. Iron and Steel
Quiet and Firm.
CBy The Associated Press. }

(By The Associated Press.)
New York, March 16-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
TRADE adviceS are as whole cheerful
and the strength of values is apparently
undated, though some soft spots still
present themselves. A prominent feature
this week has been the increase in
strength of values of farm products, near
ly all the cereals, pork products and cot
ton advancing, while materials for man
ufacture and the products thereof have
generally remained steady and unchanged
1.-The Government report on the quanti-
ty of corn in farmers hands showed
smaller than expected supply and quite
an outbreak of speculative interest oc-
Cured, sympathized in by wheat, and
both cereals reached the highest point
touched on the crop of 1899. Liquidation
in advance brought about some reaction
in prices, growing wheat crop advices
proving rather depressing as a whole, and
the statistical position remaining as
bearish as pointed out in these columns
last weeke The close finds quotations
above those of week ago. 1t seems evil
dent that the weather and the growing
crops will constitute price making fea-
lures for some time to come.
"The cotton goods market has strength
ened and number Of advances are re-
ported this week, but except at Western
distributing centers, the business done
has been rather smaller than for some
time past. There is a tendency to be-
lieve that the high point has been touch
ed, and until retailers have disposed of
some of their supplies the outlook is
g. ~ 81 md
'Wool is fairly steady, but manufac
turers are out of the market and con-
cessions can be obtained, though London
adviees are better.
Manufacturers of shoes are busy and
weather conditions have rather favored
the retailer by enabling him to dispose of
some carried over stocks.
Copper has been stronger in tone.
LEAD after a break, due to enlarged
receipts, is firm but slightly lower than
a week ago.
Anthracite coal is lower, in keeping
with the advanced stage of the season,
while bituminous grades are firm.
Though quiet, the iron and steel stu
alton has developed rather more conf
dent tone. Less is heard about shaded
quotations, though, on the other hand
the new business has not been very large.
Some low grade pig iron has been moved
at concessions. BY the taking of orders
for Bessemer pig at Pittsburg this week,
the entire production for the first half OF
the year in that district has been placed
Southern iron advices are of steady
prices and of rather more inquiry on ex-
port account. Except Immediately in
Chicago where the idleness of any thou
sands of men has made for dullness In
the machinery and kindred trades, the
Western iron situation seems a strong
one Reports of coming activity in rail-
road building multiply, but 1t is possible
that a false construction may be put
upon the reports that the 5000 miles OF
new road are projected. The heaviest
mileage ever built was in 1887, when less
than 13, 900 miles were constructed, and il
is, of course, safe to say that nothing
like as large total will be built this
year as is reported, more particularly
new railroad building now will be largely
matter of extensions Of existing lines
rather than the building of new roads
Structural material is in better request
and some very large contracts will shortly
be placed.
Wheat, including flour. shipments for
the week aggregate 2,727,450 bushels,
against Apostles bushels last week. 4,114,-
046 bushels in the corresponding week of
1899 3,679,056 bushels in 1898; 1925, 434
bushels in 1897, and 1921 bushels in
1896. Since July list, this season, the ex-
ports of wheat aggregate 141 1906 S36 BUSH
els, against 177,225,741 bushels last year
and 172, $50 $40 bushels in 1S97-'9S.
Corn exports for the week aggregate