The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-10-27

Der a, due TO the requirements OF Top
makers, who haye sold short. 1t may
be stated that at these sales the avail
able quantities will be unlimited, but
latest advices indicate that they will
probably amount to about 10000 bales,
which is a remarkably small amount
even for a November series of auc
tions.
Sales and Prices.
Among the purchasers Of the last
week in the market some OF the large
mills have been represented, including
a well-known dress goods mill and
a Philadelphia concern, both Of which
are reported to Nave bought quite
freely of territories, especially the
former. Fine and fine medium terri
tories were taken, as well as medium,
some choice stock bringing full prices.
There is quite a wide variation in
prices quoted, due largely, OF course,
to the difference in the s%hrinkage and
character of the woods sold, but, as a
rule, holders of woods have not made
any material concessions during the
past week. It is impossible to cur
any advance in price, but on the other
hand, consumers have found it pretty
difficult to make any marked impress
on prices.
Holders of fine medium territories
have in the past found more trouble
in moving their stock than holders OF
heeces and other lines, and are conse-
quently more ready to meet consum-
ers' ideas than are holders OF medium
and quarter-blood stock, but they are
not yet ready to make the concessions
which some nsum think they
ought to make and who are predicting
that fine medium territories will sell
at 45c. clean. They have not yet
touched that quotation, although sales
of short Utah fine medium are report
ed within the range of 46@47c, clean.
VII III OCAOA A01AO, SO4Oo vi nA0 dl1u
fine mediums, choice stock, are re-
ported by some houses as high as 50
@52c, clean. OF course the holders
of these woods naturally welcome any
improvement in the demand for the
finer woods, in view of the good-sized
stocks which some OF them are carry
ing of these grades, and the stiff
prices which many of them pald for
their woods in the interior early in the
season.
Texas, California and Georgia.
There is considerable inquiry for
fine 12 months Texas, which is in
light stock. Eight months Texas is
selling to some extent at TIC, to cost
SOC, clean. Growers are still shear
ing in Iexas, but some of the woods
are on the market and are held at 13c,
which means a clean cost, landed, OF
about 43c. None have been bought as
yet, however. Reports of defect con-
tinue to be received, it being stated
that the woods are more bury and
seedy.
California woods are still moving
slowly, and the business transacted
the past week has been small in vol
ume and insignificant. Prices r un-
changed. Some very choice, light,
northern California is said to have
sold as high as 23kc; other woods
have sold at 17@1Sc. Some of the
choice wool was for use in very fine
felts.
There is some inquiry for Georgia
woods, and some business is pending,
but Georgia woods are pretty well out
of stock. For best Georgia 24hc is
reported to be bid.
Territories.
A larger business has been trans
acted in territory woods, but it has
been in spots. Thus, while some o.
the territorial houses report practical
ly no business at all, a few others re
port a very good trade, n house in
particular claiming to have sold quite
a large amount.
In the neighborhood of a million
pounds is said to have been disposed
of between two houses. Another
house is credited with having solo
quite a large line of old Montana, Of
which there is said to be still some
on the market. One house sold abou'
a quarter of a million pounds, almos
entirely fine and fine medium, Wyom
ing and Utah. Rumors of sales 70
larger amounts than are included il
orr LIST il is imnnssihla to verify al