Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-25
TWENTIETH CENTURY FARMER
Makes Most Useful Present.
CONDITION OF 0MAHA'S TRADE
Many Spring Buyers Arrived Last
Week and Placed Lib
eraI Orders.

Spring buying Is now well under way and
Omaha jObDers and manufacturers report
the volume of business as far In excess of
the same period of any previous year.
Merchants seem to be coming on the mar
ket in search of spring lines much earlier
than usual, evidently in anticipation of an
early spring demand. Their orders so far
have been exceptionally large, showing that
they have considerable confidence in future
business. If there Is any one special fea-
ture TO the trade 1t is the demand for the
better grades of goods. Cheap lines this
season are not ready sellers. as a general
thing, so that merchants are laying in
higher priced stocks than have ever been
carried before In this western country.
This is true of merchants in all sections.
So far as can be learned, retailers sue
ceeded in cleaning up their winter lines in
very satisfactory manner and most or them
will carry over less heavy weight goods
than usual. That being the case, they are
In good financial condition for carrying
heavy spring lines and meeting their bills
The markets nave not fuctuated to any
great extent during the week under review,
but still there have been a few changes
worthy of mention. 1t Is to be noticed
that the great majority of the changes that
have taken place have been In the direction
of higher rather than of lower prices. The
general situation can be described by call
Ing prices strong on practically all kinds
of staple goods. In a good many instances
well informed buyers look for higher prices
In the near future.
Not Much Change I'm Groceries.
The demand for groceries in a wholesale
way continues very satisfactory for this
season of the year and jobbers look for a
large consumption of staples throughout
the year. They consider the prospects Tor
future business better than ever before and
as a result are counting on breaking all
previous records. The market has not
fluctuated as much as usual during the
week. Sugar is unchanged. both raws and
ago. In canned goods there has not been
much interest shown outside of futures,
except possibly in the line OF salmon. II
seems that the pack of chums and pink
salmon last fall was exceedingly large and
It is evidently the intention of the Alaska
Of these cheap fish In the future. as they
are now Offering to sell these chums al
prices probably less than the cost OF pack
Ing. The goods, however, are said not 10
be of the kind wanted In this territory and
are used mostly for the cheaper class OF
In the line OF dried fruits there is a
stronger feeling on apples and there Is
evidently a tendency TO advance prices or
the higher grades of, apricots, owing &c
| scarcity of goods. There is also an evident
disposition to boost the prices of rasins.
The rice market is quoted very strong, anc
we'll posted operators believe that consider
ably higher prices will rule in the future
on the choice to fancy grades. :,
Sisal rope is quoted a trife easier than y
was a week ago. prices ranging ABOUT 5$S
per pound lower. This has been brought
about by lower prices on raw material,
The coffee and tea markets are IN JUS
ago. The same may also be said OF othei
staples not mentioned above.
Cotton Goods Continue strong.
Omaha dry goods jobbers are very busy
at the present time filling advance orders
OF wash goods and other spring specialtles
such as hosiery, underwear. mems manu-
featured shirts, overalls and Jumpers
House trade has also been very good, al
more buyers are coming on the market thar
ever before at so early a date and the tota
volume of business is largely IN excess o
former years,
strong and an advance is reported OF l-l6'
on print cloths. Manufacturers complain
OF tn, high price of coal. cotton and z
other lines which go TO make up the cos
OF cloth and as a result advances ar
looked for and we'll informed buyers ar
inclined to place early orders for sprini
goods. Some large contracts have bee
placed by Omaha iobbsrs for indigoes an
other staple styles OF prints and an adVanc
Of nc or more would be no surpi Use q
those who are watching the market closely
Some dificulty is being experienced o
jobbers in getting deliveries Of spring good
and In fact popular lines OF WASH iaorle
are in some cases over sold.
Taking everything into consideration, Or
goods jobbers feel mat they are going !
men who have been heard from OF late sa
that in a very short time Omaha Will be fu
OF merchants. as nearly every one the
meet is going to visit their home marke
this season Besides that. many OF thos
who have always gone cast In the pas
have expressed their intention OF comm
5 here this year and IL favorably impresse
OF placing their orders. JObbers as a resu
are couAting on getting a great many ne,
customers as well as OF holding their oil
ones.
Fruits and
; There was some improvement noted La
week IN the demand for fruits and vegets
bles, but still trade Is not what would [
called very brisk. The market mas ais
been devoid of special features ana prize
are very much the same as they were
: week ago. The quotations now In force VI
be found in another column.
The egg market took quite a drop IA
ceipts OF fresh stock. brought about
the warm weather, The price dropped 90
: during the week The poultry market cas-
on a little also. owing 10 quite liberal g
ceipts. The butter market suffered, as a
p demand for some two weeks or more NJ
. been rather limited and prices az All pOin
have suffered more or less