The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-06
THE CEREALS ARE.
AT A LOWER LEVEL
And UnfavorabIe Weather
Disturbs Retail Trade.
COTTON Up ONE FOURTH
Lard and Other Hog Products Have
Risen Sharply.
THE IRON AND STEEL BUSINESS IS GOOD
Weather Conditions Except in the Northwest
Have Been Rather UnfavorabIe to Plant
ing and The Preparation Of Ground
Wheat in Fine Shape.
(By the Associated Press.)

(by the associated PfeSS)
New York, April 5.--Bradstreets to-
morrow viii say
Speculative activity, seeking express
sion in the markets for securities, cereals,
raw cotton and some hog products, has
rather tended to obscure interest in gen
teral distributive trade which has, how
ever, been temporarily disturbed in re-
tail lines at least by widespread unfa-
vorable weather conditions. While the.
general tendency of this speculation has
been bullish, marked exception was that
furnished by bearish movements in
wheat and corn, which has lowered the
level of these products for the time be-
ing Tire general concensus is thatfre-
tail Easter trade. has been to some ex
tent. curtaiIed by rains in the cities, and
by bad roads in the country districts, but,
as above noted. these are really only
temporary phases and the general OUT
look, alike as to crops and as, to spring
trade as a whole, is in high degree en-
couraging. The textile trades continue a
source of Encouragement to manufacture
ers, but the strength of raw cotton, de-
spite some recurring weakness, shows
that at present prices, which are Nc.
above last week, that staple has develop
ed some friends. Liquidation of tired
holders in wheat and drive against the
leading Chicago bull interests in corn
have brought about a lower range of
values, but it is worth noting that a
heavy export business has been done in
wheat at the decline. and both of these
cereals close above the lowest. The
statistical situation of lard has been in
strumental in bringing about sharp rise,
sympathized in by other hog products
1T IS hard to see how iron and steel
trade conditions could be improved from
the standpoint of the seller. Demand is
large, prices are strong, and in raw and
finished lines the outlook is regarded as
very satisfactory. Price advances have
been largely confined to finished products.
the features being an advance of 81 per
ton in plates at Chicago. and of $4 in
steel hoop prices at Pittsburg. Southern
iron is strong, and the change in this
branch of trade is well illustrated by the
fact that some old export orders are
being shipped at a price 81 per ton low
er than those now ruling. Iron ore rates
have not yet been announced, but con-
tracts for Bessemer pig are being made
freely for delivery two or three months
ahead. Western bar billet and rod man
ufacturers are booked so far ahead that
they are practically out of the market,
and Eastern manufacturers are consid-
ering advances. Western agricultural
implement men complain of tardy deliv-
cries, which is, however, largely true of
the trade as whole, and some manu-
facturers are buying as far ahead as De-
cember next.
weather conditions, except in the
Northwest, have been rather unfavorable
to planting and ground preparation. This
is particularly true in the South, where
cotton planting is retarded. Heavy fer
tilizer shipments point to large increase
in acreage in the South Atlantic States
On the other hand, heavy SHOWS in Ne
braska and no less heavy rains in the
Central West. have benefited winter
wheat prospects, which in Kansas, Ne
Eraska and Missouri are reported excel
lent Ohio's wheat condition Shows mark
ed improvement over last year. In Cali
fornia weather conditions have not been
favorable and deciduous fruits have been
hurt by frosts.
business failures in the United States
for the week numbered 1873, against 1S9
last week; 1872 in this week a year ago;
100 in 1899; 220 in 1898, and 232 in 1897.
canadian failures number 80. against
2S last week and rs year ago"
DRY GOODS.
New York, April 5.-The quietude of
the general market is unbroken today
In brown sheetings and drills, home
buying is light one or two transactions
for export in 1925 yard sheetings. No
change in prices or in demand for
bleached cottons Coarse colored cot
ton dull and Irregular Print cloths
quiet but more inquiry for wide goods
Prints quiet with some trading. Good
sales of staple ginghams at concessions
Linens quiet but prices firm. Burlaps
unchanged.