The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-09

anu w loC lSCu Wool, oO IildL tISlt
purchases, irrespective of the price
asked would naturally be smaller
than they were, and they are usually
moderate at this time of the year;
but some of them would undoubtedly
have taken some woods the past week
if the prices asked had not been SO
far above their ideas as to what
prices should be. The goods market,
however, looks very well and the
next heavyweight season viii 81 hout
doubt open at cub.tcr =. --r~nce
over last season, hi.t Tor tne time be-
ing they are not responsive to the
ideas of holders, and will not pay
higher prices until they are forced to
dc SO through their actual necessi-
ties. The demand of the past week
has been mostly from the medium-siz-
ed mills, and their purchases, togeth-
er with those made by dealers them
selves who seize every favorable op-
portunity to replenish such grades as
they have run short on, figure up
total of about five million pounds for
the week. The demand is we'll dis
tributed among the different grades
and kinds of WOOL and the business of
the past week has been pretty gen
eral, considering the size of the
stocks which the trade have to work
with. AS stated week ago, trade
may very likely rule quiet between
now and the end of this month, but
after the turn of the new year, an i'm
proved demand is benerally expected.
The weeks business has not been
characterized by many large individ-
ual transactions. but a few good-sized
lines of territories and unwashed
fleeces have been moved. Washed
feeces would have been taken more
freely if there had been larger stock
available, and the same may be said
with reference to pulled wools and
Australians. For the latter, espec-
tally merinos, the demand has been
good, but the stock has dwindled al
| most to nothing, and but little bust
ness has been consummated. Latest
returns from the London sales indi-
cate that the latter have continued
very strong, and crossbreds are even
| reported to have advanced still fur
ther. There has been strong, active
competition throughout and at this
writing there is every indication that
| the sales will close firm at top quo
! tations.
Texas, California and Oregon.
Some interest is shown in Texas
| woods, but the market has not been
active. Consumers will not pay the
prices asked by some holders. The
tone of the market is very strong,
however, and the woods which are
here, are slosely held. Small sales of
12 months Texas are reported at
and eight months stock has sold at
18@18Rc, equivalent to clean cost
Of 53@55c. Even fall wool has sold
at tic, or at about 4Sc, clean. Nearly
all the fall wool heressis reported to
have been sold out Prices vary wide
ly' on Texas woods, according to what
they are. The fine woods are very
strong and bring high prices. even as
high as 6Oc, clean, being obtained, it
is claimed, for some of the choicest
stock
California woods have sold moder-
ately, the choice northern woods bring
ing 21c, costing somewhere between
55 and 6Oc. clean. Some middle
county woods have been taken at 16c
in the grease. There is still good
demand reported for defective woods,
which have to be carbonized, sales of
this kind of stock being reported
within the range of 2O@33c, clean, for
the poorest
A small business has been done in
Oregon woods. The latter are not in
large stock and prices are firmly sus-
tanned One sale of 10000 pounds of
heavy Oregon clothing was made at
14Ac, to cost 45c, clean. A small
sale of eastern staple is reported at
1Sc. Valley Oregon is firm at 2O@21c
for No. and No. 2.
Territories.
Territories continue in good, steady
demand. Consumers have not taken
on many large lines, but quite num-
ber of them have bought, and the
sales made to the latter, together
| with those made to dealers them
selves. foot up an aggregate of over
100000 pounds. The demand seems
| to run more to medium territories
around 45c, clean, than formerly, al
| though there is still inquiry for all
grades In the grease prices have