Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-01


coo acres. which compared with 17,20s,-
900 in 1908, with a total yield of 290, s23,-
600, bushels, which compared with an
average of 1872 bushels and crop OF
22s 694, 900 bushels in 1908. The total
wheat crop of the United States there
fore proved to be well in excess of early
Expectations with yield If 49, 1885, 900
libushels. an increase of y, $4,000 bushels
over that of the previous season. The
Weld of corn was also large from a
greatly increased acreage, the final
government figures showing the crop
to have been PIP, 6,0G0 bushels on an
area of los, III 900 acres. which compar-
ed with 1865, 651, 600 bushels and 1C1,Ils,-
900 acres last year, and 2.952, 320,000 bu-
shells on an area of 92,93l,0o0 acres IN
1907. High prices We're maintained,
/ quotations on the Chicago market be-
ing about 65 cents for the May delivery,
or cents higher than last year Oats
produced crop in excess of 1,000,000o 900
bushels, the final figures of the govern
inent being 1907, 1853, 900 bushels on 49,
2O4, 900 acres, which was the largest on
| record.
Cotton proved the only exception i'll
a wear Of hountiful crops. Yet, even
| with the indicated reduction in yield
the return to the planter has been
greater because of the higher prices re-
| ceivcd. and this staple still retains Sec
/, ond position in point of value among
the nations leading farm products.
! Some time must, of course, elapse be-
fore the outcome OF the growth is def
Initelv known, but a material Shrinkage
| from the previous seasons unpreceden-
| ted harvest is conceded, and the gov
eminent has placed the difference at
about $500, 900 bales. Early III the year
attention was directed chiefly to the
absence oe sufficient rainfall in Texas,
while excessive moisture was factor
in other sections. When it became APP
| parent that Ar extremely short crop
was practically certain, speculative OPP
| erations became very active and grad
| uaIly forced prices to figure that re-
suited in much curtailment in produce
ton of finished goods, on account of the
| inability of manufacturers to obtain
prices commensurate with the rapid
rise in the cost of the raw material.
| After the sharp advance that followed
| the governments estimate of only
about 10000 600 bales appeared early In
| December, there was a short period of
| liquidation, but subsequently prices
again touched new records, the May
option rising above f6 cents.
DRY GOODS AND WOOLENS.
The first half of the year was slow from
Il merchandising point of view ana the
merchants in closest touch with the sit
uation attributed it largely to uncertain
ty attending the consideration of tariff
laws. Actual consumption, however.
made distinct progress and at no time
was there anything approaching the Keen
depression of the preceding year. In the
last third of the year. the one compilca-
ton noted by distributors was the unbal-
anced relation of purchasing power and
higher costs, but this was in a measure
forgotten in consequence OF the STEADY
purchases in agricultural sections of the
country where great harVests brought
sound prosperity. Cotton goods exports
increased very largely over 1907 and 1908,
and the Philippine market was added as
II possibility that holds many attractions
1T the moment. Imports of linens were
phenomenally large and other importa-
lions were not sensibly decreased in to-
ais, a fact accounted for in part by the
rapid rise in domestic prices without
similar response abroad. Trade with Chi
ma showed steady increase until the
middle of the year, when it fell off sharp
ly. ~ present. the difference between the
selling prices at Shanghai and the cost of
Of an early resumption of business.
In wooden goods during 1909 price move
ments were abnormal and coupled with
complications as consequence OF tar1n
agitation The basic cause of the rise
was the increased value of wool. In the
course of a few months fine territory
went up from SO to g. cents per pound to
4 to IS cents. South American cross
breds advanced IL per cent and so on
through the long line of clothing woods
The average advance asked on spring
foods at the opening of the season, In
the middle of the year, was from 20 to -
per cent A well known staple serge was
advanced 80 cents. from $1.15 to $50. and
another radical advance was that of a 16
ounce standard clay which was moved up
I:Il2 cents yard.
HIDES AND LEATHER.
Prices on hides during 1909 advanced to
q point that broke all records since the
civil war and though values We're consid
I'll cases below the highest point touched
lust year. The causes which brought
about these abnormal figures were mostly
natural and due to the fact that the
laughter of cattle throughout the world
| has not kept pace with the increased de-
mand for leather. Prices on the average
! ut the close of 1909 were about 1212 to ID
| per cent. higher than at the close of the
previous year. although there was some
weakening in December, especially in
| country hides. The most important incl
cent OF the year was tne removal ny 1pli-
| mress of the Is per cent. duty on foreign
hides. While the subject was under con-
| liberation at Washington immense guam
| titles We're imported.
The year 1909 has been one of great
prosperity in the leather industry, espec-
| tally for the tanners who were able to
| lay in large supplies at the lower prices
| Of the previous year. Leather was con-
| sistently advanced in keeping with the
| / Use in hides. Early in the year there was
not much activity and values showed lit
| tie change. and while the tariff legislation
| was pending business was especially slow
as most buyers believed that with the re-
| r1oval of the duty there would be raduc-
lions in the prices of leather. In conse-
! ouence of this many large buyers held out
If the market so long that when the nm
| certainty was removed they were COM
/ PEELED to operate upon a very extensive
| scale and this active buying materially
| stffened quotations. Tanners also cur
| tailed production and this was an I'M
portant factor in advancing the market.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
81 rHfA was every indication year ago
hat tie shoe business during 1909 would
3 generally good. and that trade would
pidlvs recover from the depression of
'FSs6S. but several unexpected factors en-
| tered the situation. and the resumption
tafa aetivity di0 not materialize until the
m sear eSsSU hen Not a' psSSim ma ne
~ N a arsH.of tyE TheainlIxnrtant 0ueS-