The age-herald., 1901-03-23
REVIEW IF TRADE
 SHOWS ACTIVITY
There Is Natural Subsistence of
 Spring Demand.
IRON IS STILL BUOYANT
Furnaces are Sold Ahead to July 1 and Prompt Deliveries Command Pre- mium--Western Trade Shows
 the Greatest Strength.

New York, March 22.-Bradstreets to- morrow will say:
 Trade is still active, though perhaps not so buoyant as in weeks past, partly ow- ing to the natural subsistence of the spring demand at wholesale and partly because of the interruption to the de- mand and shipments by snow and rain storms in the northern half of the coun- try From the South the first distinctly unfavorable advices received for some time past come as a result of the heavy and continued decline in the price of cot ton Trade comparisons with early years favor the present season, as may be gath cred from the exceptionally good railway earnings returns and the enormous in crease in clearings, some of which are no doubt explained by the preparations | for large financial operations and the bullish speculation in stocks, which has resulted in new price records for many securities. Southwestern advices are es- pecially cheerful, and farmers in that section hope to repeat or even improve upon the good results of last year. Tex tiles are still the sore spot in the trade situation. Cotton Is one-half cent lower on the week, 2%c below the top of the rise last year and 15sc below a year ago. For the first time in months the South ern trade advices are depressed Cotton goods are depressed, and price cutting is the rule, but signs of improvement are to be found in the agreement of Fall Riv- CT mills to run half time for the next two months and thus keep 5O0, 00O pieces of print cloths off the market. Wool strengthens as cotton weakens. Old lots of wool are well closed out.
 Iron was buoyant, but, as in times past the western trade displayed the greatest activity and the most strength while eastern markets have rather Jagged be- hind. Chicago and Pittsburg display great animation and central western mills are crowded with orders. Furnaces are sold ahead to July l and prompt deliv- cries command a premium. This weeks coke production is the largest of the year, and higher prices are predicted. Ore will not sell much lower, the buying of the leading mines by the great steel combina- tion being a supporting feature Export
 
 cans are still securing orders for finished material notably rails and structural work. The other metals are fairly steady except tin. which is slightly lower
 War talk induced some short covereing in wheat this week and flour strengthened on better demand, but crop reports were in the main favorable.
 Corn has been in good export demand, but is held down by increase in supplies. weather at the west keeping good. The strength of hog products and higher prices for live hogs has resulted in talk of corner being worked in May deliv- cry at Chicago Present prices are the best recorded for years past Sugar has shown some recuperative strength, and a fractional gain Is noted as the late marked decline.
 Returns from sample orders of shoes are coming in in good numbers at Boston and help to dispel whatever uncertainty may have existed among manufacturers as to the outlook. Shipments are increas- ing those for this week exceeding last week, and a year ago, though still nearly 10 per cent below a year ago for the sea- son. Heavy feathers are in good demand at all markets, and light weight though quieter, are not accommodating. Finished splits are up 19c to meet advance in rough goods of six weeks ago. Kangaroo fin- ished are strong. Export demand is strong though not equal to year ago. Green skins are in good demand.
 Wheat shipments for the week aggre- gate 3,256, GA bushels against 4.693, ,939 bush els last week, 2905, ,545 bushels same week of 1900 3,476,761 in 1S99 and 3S96, 6,31S in 1s9S
 Corn exports for the week aggregate D. 5,0S4 bushels against 3.246.570 last week. 3123,SlS in this week a year ago, 3,699 629 in 1899 and 4494, 257 in 1898. From July 1 to date this season corn exports are 141,- 965 219 bushels against 152, 657 977 last sea- son and 125, ,153, ,576 in 189S-99
 Failures for the week in the United States number 231, as against POT last week; 192 in this week a year ago; 1S2 in 1899 and 215 in 1898.