The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-08-09
practically none.

practically none. II
The crop outlook is the most i'm p
Dortant factor i'll the general situation. u
AS anticipated, the government cot
ton report was unfavorable, and had a t
marked effect upon the price of that
staple. While some improvement IS
possible in the condition of the plant
during the remainder Of the season, il
is practically a foregone conclusion
that the cotton crop will be short |
one and that high prices must be eX-
pected this season. This means good
times for sections where the injury
was slight and vice versa for sections
where the injury was great. 1t is
questionable, however, if there will
be any extraordinary scarcity of cot
ton, for the reason that many of the
European mills are running upon short
time and Europe is already possessed
of larger supply Of raw cotton than
a year ago. AS for the grain crops
their outlook continues satisfactory
July and August are frequently months
of deterioration, and it is quite posi-
BILE that the government report expect
ed today will show a slightly lower per
centage of condition than a month
ago. 1t cannot be claimed, however
that there is any great shortage of
grain; in fact, the corn crop promises
to be largest on record and prices for
all agricultural products are known
to be exceptionally profitable For
this reason there is an optimistic feel
ing throughout the entire grain belt,
both merchants and bankers in those
sections of the country anticipating
with much confidence a good autumn
trade. The agricultural outlook as
a whole is beyond question encourag.
ing because of the profitable basis
upon which it is at present working
In the industrial field signs of re-
cuperation continue to multiply. AS
said in previous advices, the volume
of production in most industries is NOT
yet equal to that existing before the
panic; yet the tendency is towards
steady increase of output, and fortu
nately there is brisk demand for all
the products of our mills, both pres
ant and prospective. Teh iron indus
Try continues very active, there be-
ng a rush of orders for nearly all
classes of steel products, while the
zig iron output, which last month was
1t the rate of 25,500,000 tons, is rapid
Y approaching record-breaking pro-
'ortions. The cotton industry contin-
les quite active, though somewhat
by the high price of the
aw material. There is, however, an
ntire absence of over-supply, and
risk demand for cotton goods is re
orted in all of the Western markets.
he only branch of this important in
ustry at present suffering is the ex-
ort trade, which naturally feels the
fleet of high prices. In the WOODEN
usiness there is much activity; the
Hills are well sold up and prices are
irm, largely owing to the advance
nd activity in wool, which is compar
lively scarce. Inly one important
larket has Jagged behind, and that
as been copper. The domestic de-
land for this article is now improving
l common with other metals, and bet
ar prices would have been realized |
o doubt were it not for the fact that
reduction is still increasing faster |
ian consumption and running at rec
I'd breaking figures. Mercantile
respects are excellent and business