The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-26
GENERAL TRADE is GOOD
In the Northwest Snow Retarded Dis
tribution Somewhat.
The KANSAS WHEAT CROP IS INJURED
Nothing in Excess of Three Fourths Yield is
Expected. Raw Cotton is Now One
Cent Above Last Years
(By the Associated Press }

Wy tie ASSOCldleu IIeSS.t
New York, Apml 25.-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say:
Despite, and indeed partly because of,
marked Irregularities in weather condi-
tions and extreme temperatures, accom-
panied by deterioration in the winter
wheat crop of the Southwest, general
business and speculation have been of a
very full volume for this season of the
year. Retail demand was relieved from
the incubus of backward weather by the
hot wave which swept over large part
of the country this week. This has re-
suited in a fair record business from
wholesalers and jobbers in the east. but
the talk of crop damage put a check upon
demand IN the Central West and South
west, and wholesale trade reports from
these sources are not as good as earlier
locked for. although showing some i'm
provement over year ago. In the North
west snow and rains checked retail trade
and distribution, but the general effect
has been to rather improve the ultimate
crop and business outlook than other
wise, although delaying seeding somewhat
Some notable price movements have oc-
Cured this week and taken as a whole
the number of staples and of securities
reporting record prices has been very
large Among the industries activity has
remained as great as heretofore, and the
labor situation has rather improved, par
ticularly in the building and allied trades.
which teport unsurpassed activity pre-
VaiMng.
THE cereals and to a lesser degree
hog products, generally, responded
promptly to both Western wheat damage
reports which coupled with very heavy
decreases in the visible supplies. partic-
ularly in Manitoba and the Northwest
resulted in the highest prices of the
crop season being reached for cash wheat.
Corn, too, almost broke the season rec
ord Crop reports to Bradstreet's ind-
ca G that beyond doubt the Kansas wheat
crop has been hurt by the drought and
hot winds. Nothing in excess of three
quarters of crop is looked for even by
the most sanguine, while sixty per cent
OF last years yield is confidently pre-
dicted. In other sections, however. rains
have benefited the situation. Meats are
all higher, marketable animals are scarce
and receipts are small. Hog products
have advanced in sympathy with cereals
but butter and eggs, alleged to have
been cornered some time ago. have bro
ken badly, the former to the extent
of seven cents per pound
Cotton bulls, encouraged by the light
crop movements, and nervousness of
shorts, have forced prices higher, the
highest prices for the season being
reached when spot sold at 912c. Raw
cotton is now one cent above last years
prices and early reports as to proposed
decreases in acreage are being modified
Reports by leading Eastern jobbers are
that the past season has been a very
good one for dry goods and the only
complaint now is as to deliveries.
In iron and steel anxiety to get sup
plies Of crude material is almost as
great as ever. Southern furnaces appear
to have abandoned the idea of holding
down to the $12 rate for number two
foundry and liberal sales are noted by
Independent concerns at SIS and better.
Business failures number 1S1 as
against 214 last ear. For Canada 20 as
against 25 a year ago.