Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-08

creased 20 per cent and in farm animals
there was an Increase of only .05 per
cent. These figures plainly show that
the present prosperity of agricultural
classes Is based much more upon high
prices than upon increased production.
winch is the true basis of increa sed
wealth. The same tendency is noticed
in our foreign trade. exports usually
showing much greater loss in quanti-
" than in value, and the increase in
imports often being more due to the
rise in prices than increase in ouanti-
ty Nevertheless the farmer ls tho
basis of our present prosperity. Fortu-
nately he has had another very profita
bic year, and the result is an increased
demand for all staple articles of mer-
chandise and many luXuries besides. 1t
Is time now that he devoted himself to
increasing his product and maintaining
his Income by a larger output rather
than by eXorbitant profits. He is the
individual who is largely responsible
for the present high cost of living, and
every inducemcnt is now offered him
to increase his product. Today the
American farmer is not doing his full
duty by his country
HARDWARE.
The hardware trade has been too
much engaged in inventory taking to
give much attention the past week
in rustling up business. The travelling
men who were called in for new
samples and to arrange for the spring
trade have finished their work and
are getting back on the trail. They ex-
pect business will be in considerable
volume for the next 80 days Collec-
tions are fairly good for this time of
the year. Stoves and sleds have been
proving good sellers, while skates have
been sold as never before, owing to
the proteacted cold weather.
LUMBER.
The lumber trade reports business
very fair. considering prevailing ell
matte conditions. in fact better than
during last year, at this time. There
Is no change Of prices now, but when
building weather returns In tho
spring. a general rise in prices Is
promised There is no scarcity of cars
at present, the ony trouble in this
respects being the snail-like slowness
of shipments Nothing Is doing In ce-
ment. as in such weather as this. con-
crete work is reduced to its lowest
terms.
WHOLESALE DRYGOODS.
The local wholesale drygoods trade
has finished inventorying and the
traNellnR men are once Hlole out VII
the road, sending in encouraging re-
ports The country merchants are
ordering spring goods for February
delivery and business IS very fair for
this time of year Cotton fabrics con-
tinue on the up grade as TO prices.
Heavy shipments arc being received
from New York, one large concern
receiving this week five cars packed
solid with goods. No pronounced
changes are reported. Jobbers report
the colored goods trade as irregular.
with advances that do not compensate
for the advance In cotton. But the
gray goods market Is strong. with
tendency toward higher values. The
demand for fine prints is reported as
disappointing, though staple and
medium priced fancy dress ginghams
continue in good demand. Present.
Indications nre that the popular de-
mand will be for linen finished IA
brics under various trade marks and
offered in plain and fancy weaves,
Crepes. chiffons. white pongees and
satin stripped effects are being SHOWN
in large variety.
There is holding back on Knit
goods. sellers being reluctant to name
fall prices. and the hosiery trade is
also unsettled, though business on sta
nle fleeced-lined hosiery has of late
been fairly good. An advance is pre-
dicted in silks, as manufacturers are
curtaiIing production to bring TINS
about. Linen dress goods have also
advanced heavily, and are being still
nushcd upward. The linen trade Is
ouIet. but Indications point toward
heavy 1910 demand, cambrics. dam
nsks. dress and housekeeping goods
being smaller in stocks than was imag-