Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-04

Bradstreet's says: Cotton goods
are weaker and the outlook is for ctr
tailment OF production OF finished pro-
ducts. Good authorities at the South,
however, do not think that any cur
taiIment of cotton acreage from last
years aggregate is probable, although
the recent drop will, IL Is thought,
help to discourage planting on some
land. In line with this are the reports
thas considerable orders Tor fertilizers
have been cancelled ~
1.-The boot and shoe trade is in good
condition, another gain in shipments
is indicated this week. and the total is
5000 cases ahead Of this woek last
year, while the unfavorable balance for
the season has been cut down. The
situation in leather is quits satlsfac-
tnry, and stocks of sole leather are
quite limited. nv
There 10 little more doing in the
cereals this week, corn being especially
active, and In the hands of a bull
clique has advanced to above 90 cents.
Wheat has been In better export dc.
maud and strengthened slightly in
sympathy with the coafser grain.
.'lron and steel hare made steady
progress alike IN volume of sales and
in the matter Of price. The long ex-
pected advance in structural material
came this week, with a gain of from
e. 10 "a in. beams, channels and similar
products. Other finished products are
active and strong.
"Failures for tue week numbered 1879,
as against 231 last week, 1IS in, this
week a year ago, 100 in 1899, $50 in
1858 and 2l2 in 1897. Canadian failures
r. m
last week, % in this week a year ago,
SO IN 1899, 80 in 1903 and 38 in 1897,
r. q. Dun & Co. "a Review says
"The condition OF general business 10
| in most respects satisfactory. The dry
goods trade, and particularly the cotton
| division, is gloomy, with further re-
| auctions In prices of staple goods this
week, and demand failing to increase
with the shading OF quotations; but
| from every other department Of bust
ness reports are cheerful and the out
look for good spring retail turnover
! is encouraging.
aside from the expected advance
in structural shapes, there is com
paratiye steRdiness in iron and steel.
| After more or less advance every week
| for two months, it ia gratifying to find
that Boesemer pig remained seven days
without alteration.
"Prices of boots and shoes are we'll
sustained without any quotaola change.
New England shops report fewer orders,
put most concerns have sufficient work
for some months on old contracts.
Japanned goods and chrome patent kid
are in special request. Most lines of
sole leather are firmly held, while re-
ceipts of glazed kid and patent leather
arc quickly absorbed at steady prices.
Chicago hides again average over, the
weakness being partly attributable to
the extremely poor quality of offerings.
THAT bottom prices for wool have
been reached at last is evidenced by
the growing unwillingness OF holders
to make CONCESSIONS, the greater ac-
tiyity of dealers. and Indications tina
purchases for speculation are OF con-
siderable volume, Transactions also
show q material gain at the leading
markets, while shipments from Boston
exceed these OF preceding weeks.
Efforts to secure even fractional ad.
vanoes in quotations, however, end
negotiations. Manufacturers are not
inclined to accumulate stocks