The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-25
WHEAT MARKET
 IS FAIRLY STEADY Throughout the Day the Range
 of Prices Is Normal ARGENTINA NEWS BETTER Corn Market Becomes Active On Wet
Corn Market Becomes Active On Wet Weather Reports, and the Close Is Slightly Higher-Oats and
 Provisions Are Steady.

Chicago, October 24.-Wet weather in the winter wheat belt had a depressing effect today on the local wheat market but buying by shorts caused a steady tone at the close, final prices showing only slight changes from the previous close. Corn, oats and provisions were firm.
 The wheat market was an exception ally narrow affair both in regard to the amount of business transacted and in the range of prices. Throughout the entire day the price of all deliveries Il cid within 1ac range. Although the market closed steady sentiment during the greater part of the session was bearish owing to the weather eondi- tions which prevailed in the west and southwest. The weather bureau re- ported rain over the entire winter wheat belt and the predictions were for continued wet weather in many sections. News from Argentina was also more optimistic, several dispatches claiming that the damage to the new crop by frosts would be only slight Prospects of a further liberal increase
 
 United States and Canada for the week furnished an additional motive to sell lers. The principal bullish influence of the day was a continued excellent demand for flour at Minneapolis. Cash wheat here was steady at unchanged premiums and no export business was reported. Clearances of wheat and flour were equal to 41,OO0 bushels. Pri- mary receipts were 1,105,000 bushels compared with SS1 ,OOO bushels the cor responding day year ago. Minneap- oils, Duluth and Chicago reported re- ceipts of 736 cars, against 773 cars last week, and 617 cars a year ago.
 Fears that the movement of new corn to market would be hindered by the wet weather, present and prospec- tive, caused many local traders to be- come quite active buyers of corn dur ing the first half of the session which resulted in moderate advances. Later in the day, however, several leading commission houses sold the May de- livery freely and this tended to weak en the market in general. The market was influenced by the cash grain situa- ton, new corn being steady to Pc lower at the sample tables. The market closed firm with prices a shade to 1s O A c higher with December at b212c ana May at 62%c. Local receipts were 79 cars with 22 of contract grade,
 Trade in oats was quiet and the market was steady. The firmness of corn was the chief factor. Cash oats were steady and eastern demand was said to be poor The market closed steady with prices unchanged to b c higher compared with the previous close. Local receipts were 103 cars.
 Provisions were rather weak early in the session because of liberal re- ceipts of live hogs at western packing centers, today's arrivals being nearly double those of the corresponding day last year. After the first selling furore was over, offerings dwindled to small proportions and firmer tone de- veloped. At the close prices were 5@ IT 1sc higher.
 Estimated receipts for Monday: Wheat, SO cars corn, 93; oats, 192; hogs, 42,000 head
 Leading futures ranged as folloWs: