Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-27
GRAIN REVIEW OF
THE PAST WEEK

Weather conditions in this country
and Canada during the week just clos
ed were generally unseasonably mild.
Crop reports were in the main favor
able. though the absence Of snow pro-
lection over a good part of the winter
wheat belt Is still cause for consid-
cradle concern among growers, as a
sudden freeze would possibly result in
considerable injury. Reports from
California and the Pacific northwest
continue highly satisfactory. Consid-
cradle blowing reported in the south
west and, much larger area than usual
prepared for corn. Conditions were
more favorable for the curing and con-
ditioning of corn and lower tempera-
ture much desired in order to facilitate
marketing and improve the quality.
Live stock generally reported as hay.
ing wintered we'll and in good condi.
ton.
The movement of grain from the
farms and interior elevators was mod
erately enlarged during the week just
past. Marketings in the northwest,
both sides the international line, made
a better showing, still the arrivals at
the leading terminals were much
smaller than during the corresponding
period one year ago. In the southwest
wheat deliveries were moderate,
though corn came forward quite freely
with further importations via Atlantic
ports. In the middle west; and west
the movement of grain was fair. Lo-
cally the receipts were somewhat more
liberal. considerable wheat coming in
from the west. Shipments of grain
were moderate and arrivals at the sea-
board fair. Exports of breadstuffs
were smaller than of late and light of
corn. New bookings were larger. Ac-
cording to the official visible supply,
as compiled by the secretary of the
Chicago board of trade, there was a
decrease in wheat, oats and barley and
an increase in corn and rye.
The leading speculative markets on
change were fairly active this week,
the interest, however, centering more
particularly in coarse grains. Wheat
f1uctuated within somewhat wider linn
it's and market closed higher than last
Friday. Values worked lower at the
outset. Foreign statistics were bear
ish," marketings towards spring wheat
centers showed some increase, while
clearances at the seaboard were small
er than of late, and Argentina was re-
ported as taking the last step to ad-
mission of their wheat into the United
States duty free. Foreign markets,
both English and continental. were
weaker and likewise had a depressing
influence on values. Shorts covered
on the dips the market gathering
some strength from the unexpected ad-
vance in the leading English grain cen
tiers. Weather in Europe turned cold,
and complaints of insufficient snow
cover were more numerous. Euro
pean and Australian offers to United
Kingdom were dearer and plate offers
smaller Australian wheat was firmly
held and demand there said to be urg-
ent. Corn developed steadier tone
during the early trading, but sentiment
was rather mixed at the outset, but as
the week advanced considerable pres
sure developed and the market sagged
when the demand improved, the offer
ings being absorbed by interests con-
spicuous Oh the buying side the clos
ing days of last week. Heavy selling
followed the upturn. the weakness in
cash values here and in the southwest,
together with poor merchandising con-
dition being the chief depressing fac
tors, but good buying by shorts
caused a sharp recovery. Trade in oats
fair; market unsettled Rather a
steady feeling was prevalent at the
start, but most of the trade was local.
Shorts" were the best buyers on the
declines, and sellers on the strong
spots The late strength in wheat and
corn had a publish influence toward
the last. y.
The trade in cash grain this week
was moderately enlarged. Consign-
ments were somewhat freer and pur-
chases to arrive only fair. Demand
for wheat better. Offerings fair
Prices firmer for most grades. Corn
in moderate demand and offerings
larger. Prices irregular. Oats were
somewhat weaker. Demand fairly
good and supplies moderate. Rye rul-
ed dull. Barley in good request
that is, mailing sorts, which were firm
and prices slightly higher. Seeds
were inactive and steady in tone,
choice timothy hay was in larger sup
DIV and moderate demand. Medium
and low grades quiet. Market lower.
Hog products in moderate demand and
offerings only fair. Sales limited and
prices favored sellers. Hogs averaged
higher, cattle were steady and sheep
were weaker.
Wheat. ~.
In winter wheat there was no cOmpe-
tition among buyers for the offerings
and no price changes, excepting those
on q basis with the May delivery, on
which cash transactions were based the
past week. Stocks in public elevators
did not change any to speak Of, with a
slight decrease in hard wheat Track
lots local billing ranged 3@5c over May
prices and was quotable at 955s @97kc
only an occasional car received. No.
3 red local billing was quotable at $50
951hc. No. red ranged at S7@93c for
poor to choice. No. 2 Hard in store
centered in a few hands and quotably
2km3c under May. and ranged at $685.
m91Ac. Track lots local billing quot
ably IL @2c under May and ranged at
S9k @91kc, and sole variety higher.
No. 8 hard was quotable at s7@9O1sc.
No. hard quotable at s3@S9A c.
Sample grade sold, at S3@86c.
Spring wheat ruled easier the first
days of the week, and prices declined
81 a1o ord than rocouaraH % from, III n