The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-11-24
eighths are reported to have been
made at less than 24c.
Reports from Mills.

u1CdJe JnaL some OF the mills are dong
we'll and that some are not. Included
among the latter are the worsted
mills. But all consumers are buying
very c~onservatively, or in a hand-to-
mouth n They are very gener-
ally carrying light stocks, as they do
not see any occasion for doing other
wise until there is evidence of a bet
ter demand for goods than has yet
developed.
An increase in the recorder demand
for light weights very naturally would
be reflected in an improved demand
for wool, and in those cases where
the recorder demand has shown a slight
improvement, have mani
tested somewhat more willingness to
buy; but this has as yet cut but a
small figure in the general business
J doing.
AS the year draws to a close, and
the ~stock-taking and squaring-up Pc
riod arrives, will naturally
feel but slightly disposed to plunge
very heavily into wool. There are,
however, some members of the trade
who are anticipating an improvement
and the close of the year, owing to
the very small stocks of wool which
consumers have on hand. In the mean
time, the course of the London sales,
which open next Tuesday, will be
watched with interest. Offerings will
be small as compared with last year,
but the consensus of opinion in the
trade is that prices will not show any |
| advance.
Texas and California.
Texas woods are just a trifle more
active, a line of new fall wool-about
$4,000 pounds-and about the same OF
eight months spring wool being NOV
ed. The new fail wool was sold at
15Rc, costing, it is estimated, 44@45c,
clean. Eight months stock sold at a
clean cost of about soc. Good WOOL,
eight months, will bring SOC, but In
II months wool there is very little
doing, as there is but very little of it
here. In Texas the Kerrville woods
were sold last week at 13c. The woods
are understood to have been quite de-
fective.
California woods have not yet been
sold readily, the sample bags which
were taken out some time ago, and
which were referred to in our report of
last week, not having resulted thus
far in actual business, but more sam
pie bags have been taken out this
week, and it would not be surprising
if at any time there should be decided
ly more business to report in Califor-
mia woods. Prices are unchanged, be-
ing pretty steadily held on the basis
previously quoted, choice northern
woods commanding 50@52c, clean, and
middle county, 47@4Sc.
Territory Woods.
Territory woods are o as yet NOV
ing with any great rapidity. Two or
three good sized sales are reported,
but the demand as a rule has been
quiet, and mostly for small lots.
Fine territory has been in fair re-
quest, and there is some inquiry for
medium and half-blood territory. Thus
sales of the latter are reported at
10000 for choice Montana, and sales
of choice fine medium Montana at
clean. Good average fine medium ter
ritory is obtainable, however, at 47c,
and some business is reported at that
quotation, with sales OF short woods,
claimed to have been made at 46Rc.
Strictly fine wool has sold at SIC,
clean, and fine selected staple at SO
@55c. Medium territory continues to
sell at about 45c, clean. Generally
speaking, it takes a nice, choice terri
torial wool to bring more than soc,
clean.
Territorial woods of quarter-blood
grade, which are in much lighter stock
than fine medium, have sold to some
extent on the basis OF 42c, clean. The
fine medium woods are still draggy,
and prices on that grade OF stock still
favor the buyer.
For secured woods a very fair de-
mand is reported, and some good bust
ness has been put through, fine scour-
ed bringing 50@52c and fine medium
47@4Sc. Medium and low secured
woods within the range OF 40@45c have
been in demand.