The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-26
P|G IRON MARKET
 CONTINUES STRONG
Recent Business Good in Ton-
 mage and Prices
STEEL TRADE EXCELLENT
Last of Summer Sees the General Iron Conditions We'll MaintaIned--Indica- tions of Splendid Fall Business
 Are Steadily increasing.


 active. Sales are not large compared with the big selling in July, but they will total good volume for August. Prices are exceedingly firm on s12 for No. basis.
 Rogers Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati report for the current week says:
 The last of summer sees general condi- tions we'll maintained. Recent business has been excellent in both tonnage and prices. The market Is of a most inter- esting character, and present indications point to a continuance A number of good sized transactions have been closed for delivery during the balance of this year and the first quarter of next This, with d smaller business placed for next years shipment, and the nature of cur rent inquiry for 1906 delivery, promises well. This is a feature lately developed, as sellers have not been inclined to meet propositions for 1906 movement until re- gently. Prices remain without change, and 1t Is only exceptional deals, or those in which off material enters, which call for figures below the quotations of last week There is marked scarcity of the higher grades of foundry irons, especially in the south
 It is reported that during July the south ern furnaces decreased their surplus stocks by about 25,0O0 tons, and as sales made this month have kept up with the production, 1t does not appear that there will be any addition to stocks in that dis trict during August. Southern produce ton continues heavy, but shipments of iron and steel are moving at greater rate than the material Is being produced, with the result of shrinkage in furnace stocks. A leading interest has sold a large ton mage for delivery during the first half of next year, which is taken as evidence that consumers feel prices will be maintained during that period at least.
 Unusual activity continues in certain lines, especially steel bars and rails Af- ter the amount of business which has been placed in latter line during this year. 1t would seem that the maximum had been reached, but orders continue. The mills in the Pittsburg district are now In such shape as to make impossible the con- sidering of additional business for the rest of the season. Running night and day they may be able to keep up with the orders in hand. There IS every prospect of very strong Bessemer market begin ming in early September. The reported probable purchase of Bessemer iron by the steel corporation Is now judged to be practically assured for early September. If they should purchase half or two thirds of the Bessemer product now stocked in valley furnace yards the re- suit is evident This purchase nsght have been made this month but for the fact that prices have been somewhat un- certain, and an established figure was desired by them. There are several in- quiries for basic iron in the market, and some good sales are anticipated.
 Coke Is strong, with prices steady, some advance being registered The demand Is brisk and production Is being well main- tained although some difficulty is being experienced in effectlng ample movement
 Matthew, Addy & Co.'S report for the week follows:
 There are clements of great strength un- deriving the pig iron market. The steel end ow the business was never in better shap. All the mills are full of work and the United States corporation, which &C., cumuated Bessemer iron during the spring and summer is so rapidly cutting down It's reserve stock that 1t Is highly probable that it will bel forced shortly to go into the open market. This will be a decided help to the northern merchant furnaces. As It is, both north and south the furnaces have we'll filled order books and shipments are being made In greater volume than at any previous time this year. In the south there Is noticeable shortage of high-grade foundry irons; In fact the only grades in anything like fair supply are those for mill work.
 Indications of splendid fall business are steadily increasing The crops every where are going to exceed expectation, and this means that the immediate con suming power of the country will be largely increased. Good crops are always the base of good times In pig iron. The railroads are already feeling the influ- ence of this superabundant crop, and be- fore sixty days have passed they will have trouble in moving the countrys freight. Even now in some directions there Is a scarcity of cars This is particularly the case in the coke fields. and car famine later on in the autumn is well nigh cer- tain.
 There has been good laying this week all along the line. Several large consum- CTS have purchased good sized lots, while there has been an unusual number of small orders Carload lots for immediate shipment are much in evidence. There Is also a steadily growing demand for quo tations for the first quarter of 1906 Fur naces are rather dlsinclined to sell for delivery so far ahead, but sellers are &C., commodatng them asking for this de- livery the same prices that are quoted for shipment over the last quarter of the year.
 The general feeling in the trade is cheerful and hopeful. Consumers have plenty of business on hand and plenty more in sight The agricultural implement concerns are especially busy, though ev- eryone is so full of work that 1t is diff | ficult to particularize in this regard.