The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-02
WHEAT ADVANCES ON ACTIVE DEMAND Market Is Firm and 6uIIish In
 Tendency PRICES CLOSE AT HIGHEST The Active Shipping Demand for Corn Keeps Up the Price of That Cereal.
 Oats and Provisions Are
 Very Firm.

Chicago, October 1.-Reports of contin- ued active demand for flour in the north west and of decreased acreage sown to wheat in the southwest imparted strength today to the local wheat market closing quotations being up 1zQ5sc to sse, com- pared with yesterdays final quotations. Corn and oats closed firm and provisions were steady.
 Although trade in the wheat pit was only of moderate volume, the market was firm all day, and closed near the highest point. One of the principal factors in the situation was the strength of the north- western markets in the face of the contfn- ued heavy movement of the new crop. Arrivals today at Minneapolis and Duluth were 1855 cars, against 6S1 cars year ago, and stocks at Minneapolis were report ed to have increased 100000 bushels in the past five days. This heavy movement to the northwestern markets was offset by brisk demand for flour at Minneapolis, where sales of 125,OO0 barrels were said to have been made over night. The mar ket was affected to some extent by estl- mates of the quantity of wheat already VI that from 45 to 50 per cent had already left the farms, but more conservative fig ures placed the amount at not over 50 per cent
 A number of reports were received to- day relating to a decreased acreage soWn to wheat in the southwest, and one report asserted that this years acreage will be 25 per cent less than that of last year, which was the smallest on record. Ex- port business here was practically at a standstill but seaboard reported sales of 12 boatloads.
 Clearances of wheat and four were equal to 1,490,00O bushels, which is almost the record for a single day. Primary re- ceipts were 2046000 bushels, compared with 1,063 000 the corresponding day year ago Minneapolis, Duluth and Chicago re- ported receipts of 1O43 cars, compared with 1113 cars last week and 739 cars year ago.
 Corn was strong all day owing to ac- tive shipping demand for the cash grain. Eastern buyers who had held off to await the finish of the deal were heavy bidders, and prices at the sample tables advanced to AZ above yesterdays level. The strength of the cash grain was felt es- pecially by the October delivery, which advanced to 77 cents after opening at 7412c. The market was also strengthened by numerous reports of damage by the recent frost The close was strong with prices up AQ13sc, compared with the prev ious close. Local receipts were l43 cars, A of contract grade.
 An improved demand for the cash grain was also bullish factor in the oats mar ket, strong tone prevailing throughout the entire day. The demand for cash oats was largely by shippers who were willing to pay 1ac more than was paid yesterday. Shorts were fair buyers of De- cember and May, and this helped to main tain prices at a higher level. The mar ket closed firm and only a trifie below the highest point. Local receipts were 231 cars.
 Provisions were a trifie easier early in the day on renewed liquidation of October deliveries, but rallied later on a brisk general demand. Smaller receipts of live hogs at western packing centers inspired part of the buying. The market closed steady with prices Dc lower to 1212c higher.
 Estimated receipts for tomorrow: Wheat 37 cars, corn 133 cars, oats 179 cars, hogs 14000 head.