The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-19
Chicago Grain and Provisions.

CHICAGO, April S.-Gratn speculation was nervous and of see-saw nature today. Traders realized that rain must to the re lief of the Winter crop and local opinion and prices swung upon this point. Every breath of rumor suggesting moisture affected prices in the end, the crowd turned bearish and May wheat closed ss934c lower. May corn ss down and May oats l2c lower Provisions closed 2 q 2i2c depressed.
 There was nos such a volume of business in
 the wheat pit as for several days past. fhc
 crowd in guessing frame of mind and
 feared possible rain news might cause a break
 at any moment There was any quantity of
 bullish news. but under the prevailing senti-
 ment much was lost sight of and the trade
 seemed deaf to anything but rain possibilities.
 The condition. as one expert put 1t. is Une
 of dryness from Pennsylvania to Texas and
 north to the North Dakota line. The trade
 understands well what can happen if rains do
 not fall. The extreme dryness centers in Kan
 sas No rains save an occasional shower has
 tallein in 24 hours and the forecast was for
 clear, dry weather in general Kansas City
 reported high winds and bugs injuring Kan
 wheat One statstician put up claim of
 5nlo points injury in Kansas since April |.
 Argentine advices state that the outlook was
 bullish the Government helping the provinces buy sed wheat. At the opening there was a
 short-lived spurt May prices starting k to E up al 74ssd747t. Cables were only steady and
 under the influence of the prevailing nervous
 ness of the pit prices were somewhat errapc
 on their huctnations There b were frequent T len
 ter weaker each time. Gradually the
 hears prevailed. There was a rumor ot rain
 falls West and profit taking and some short selling pressed until May closed weak, 3sH 24C
 lower at 73%a737s Local receipts 3s cars. none of contract grade; Minneapolis and Du- luth reported 9S cars. making total for the
 three points of only 36 cars against e7
 last week and 3o6 year ago. Primary re
 ceipts e7 900 bushels. compared to 3el- 900 bushels last year. Argentine shipments for the wek were 9e2 900 bushels, against l76 900 bushels tho week before. Scaboard clearances in wheat and flour cquailed 45I 900 bushels.
 Trade In corn was inclined toward the wait ing attitude. Business moderattlN active at times. but the uncertainty of tho course uf the wheat market was bar to marked sympa thetic action. There disposition to wait for some one to take tho lead. Reported im- provements in country offerings drag on the bulls and break at St Louis carlN in the session was reflected by dip here. The weather is not much of a factor in corn. Sav which tends to shorten coarse feed is felt by the corn trade. And reports ot hay crop dam age did result in a hurried upturn in corn at the opening. May started i.mlgc higher at 62ssT627s. but at broke Rallies fol- lowed wheat some what, but the market show I'd bearish tendencies.
 Oats contributed strength at times Tn" late heat weakness brought May to ! weak close K down at 62. Receipts only 66 ears. Oats had fairly sharp trade Business was big in general and prices huctuated rapidly The strength in other grains and the fear that the dry weather would be more dangerous to oats than to any other grain pressed prices up at the opening Receiving ani comm S- sion houses bought liherally and the market seemed to take on independent strength. Con l siderable selling pressure came out anl the hulish aspect of the pit under went a change, | Wheat and corn weakness were utdv moderate | factors in the t-back. May sold between | A and 43c closing weakeF, i4 down at the | latter price. Receipts were 26 cars
 Provisions loked like manipulated market | today. Though trade was quiet. prices were | early strong the grain strength. Tn" hog l market was only steady and may have con | trihuted to a growing weakness hut p.ics wore | pressed hN the local bears. Packers supported !