The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-15
TRADE CONDITION
IS FAVORABLE
Holiday Business Stimulated by Sea-
sonabIe Weather.
THE CEREALS LOWER IN PRICE.
Business in Iron and Steel Is Quietcr
Yet There Is No Apparent Dimin-
jships in Strcngth-Stcel
Plates Advance.
THE CEREALS LOWER IN PRICE.
nv Associated Press.)

] e.
morrow will say:
Favorable conditions rule generally in all
lines Of seasonable trade. Holiday prepa-
rations are, of course, dominant in retail!
business, and where this mas hitherto
Jagged, it has been stimulated by more
seasonable weather. Wholesale distribu-
ton is limited, as natural at this period,
but Western iobbers are in receipt of a
fair reorder business.
So far the best reports as to retail trade
come from the West and South. In leading
industries the best report is still that made
by finished products OF the iron and steel
Industry, but other favoraby situated
lines are boots and shoes and lumber. New
business in the former is rather light at
Wholesale but manufacturers generally
are busily employed, and leather is hrm
IN sympathy. A good export demand for
the latter is noted
Retai lumber is rather quiet, but whole
Salers are preparing for a good year. haru-
woods are specially firm in price.
The cereals are lower III price, due to
prohibiting on the late upward move
ment, the larger movement of supplies,
particularly of corn, which Is favored oy
the weather. and to less interest on the
part OF foreign buyers.
COTTON LOWER.
The Government cotton estimate of TO-
100000 bales was larger than expected by
the trade which looked for about 8. 10000
bales. The feeling is that if the yield does
not exceed 10,1G0,GO bales. consumption,
which last year was 100000 bales of
oft hpy- no heavily curtdltSu
or stocks will be reduced to the vanishing
point The close of the week finds future
quotations is cent lower and spots IA
cent off
The dry goods market is quiet. as ma
tural at this period, and high cost OF IA"
material and low cost of finished products
do not harmonic. Early spring trade
business, however, is fairly satisfactory.
The lightweight season in mems wear
woollen goods has proved disappointing,
but womens plain dress goods are we'll
ordered. Rather more has been done in
foreign woods. chiefly Australian, this
week. and Melbourne and london advices
are of trmer markets. The low priced
domestic wool is rather weak, however.
While business in iron and steel is
Quieter of late, there is no apparent di-
n1:nishing in strength. and rails and plates
compare with the best. y sale Of $4,000
western mills, is reported and other sales
will swell the weeks business to 100000
| tons at the much abused but neverthe
| less accepted, $26 basis. Another feature
| is the sale of 11,G0O tons for export to
| Norway.
| EXCEEDS ALL RECORDS.
The volume Of railroad iron already
! booked for next year is declared TO eX-
! ceed all records. Although steel plates
cod : &c
| apparently undiminished and large pro-
| ducers are reported buying outside mikes
| to fill contracts. Here again large orders
| for export are reported.
| AS another proof of stability ii is report
| ed that one of the largest PittSburg inter-
| estS have agreed to the present scale of
! wages continuing next year. Pig iron is
| dull. except for some new business at
| Chicago, End SO per ton has been con-
ceded on Bessemer at PittSburs. Some
| large interests. hitherto buyers. are now
! making iron themselves direct from ores.
! Bilets are dull, but steady. Hardware is
| active jobbers stocks are small, and
manufacturers are busy on orders.
Wheat, including flour. shipments for the
| week aggregate ASSIST bushels. against
( 8, 1872 159 last week; 3,26S $40 in the CORE
| spending week OF 1899: 6243.S5 in 1898; H.
| 60t399 in 1885, and 3,52i. 500 in 1896.
From July 1st to date this season. wheat
! exports are S50l1,003. against 1856, go last
| season. and 100 S53 in 1885 80.
| Corn exports for the week aggregated
4,S5345S, against 5.31l .331II last week. 4,017 1S5
| in this week a year ago: 3.25l,936 in 1898;
4,129S7S in 1891. and 2S14,15o in 1886.
From July lst to date corn exports are
| 81 9C6, 1926 bushels against 81 $50 sos last sea-
| son, and L. 49, go in 1S9S-'99.
| Business failures for the week in the
! United States number al, against 22i last
| week, oil in this week q. year ago, 233t in
! 1898, 2Ss in 1881, and $50 in 1896.