Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-07
GRAIN REVIEW OF
THE PAST WEEK

ONAlN REVIEW OF
THE PAST WEEK
The weather in Argentina was favor.
aDle Tor gathering and shipping corn.
,uenos aires reported sales of 12,000,-
ooo bu. corn for North America.
weather conditions in this country
curing the week just closed were gem
orally regarded as highly favorable.
temperatures over the principal pro-
uuclng sections were seasonable with
general rains covering a good portion
or the grain belt Fallsown grain is
supposed to be in very good condition,
ana fewer complaints were forwarded
IRON the west and southwest of the
ground being dry. State reports as far
as received show very high condi-
tlon. Reports from the Pacific north
west and California indicate very
promising outlook. The Orange Judd
Farmer estimated the condition of win
ter wheat at 91.7 per cent against 97,2
on december l, suggesting a crop Of
ABOUT 6OO,OOO.00O blu. The striking diff
ference between the situation now and
year ago is that last year there was
nearly 100000 acres winter-killed.
while this year the abandoned acreage
is the least IN many years. Area stand
ing 36,OO0,OOO acres. Oats seeding we'll
under way and crop where up in the
south has good appearance. Corn
ploWlng is further advanced than Gus
tomary at this season and planting in
the south and southwest we'll under
way
Inc movement of grain from the
farms and country elevators during the
week Just past was again quite liberal
IN the aggregate. Receipts at the lead
Ing terminals in the northwest con-
tlnue to make an excellent showing
Marketlngs IN the west and southwest,
Dotn OF small and coarse grains, were
also very fair, and receipts at termin-
ais IN the central west quite free, due
IN part to the excellent crop promise.
Farm activities, however, in the i'm
mediate future are expected to curtail
deliveries. Shipments of grain east
ward were only moderate, and arrivals
at the seaboard were fair. Exports Of
breadstuffs were moderate and new
bookings smaller than earlier in the
month. Corn clearances continue linz
lted. According to official visible sup
ply, as compiled by the secretary Of
the Chicago Board of Trade, there was
decrease in wheat, corn, oats and
rye and an increase in barley.
The leading speculative markets on
change were quite active this week
with the trade of large volume. Wheat
was active and lower, due to general
liquidation by longs" and more ag-
gressive selling on the part of operat-
ors who entertained decidedly bear
lsh' views Of the situation. Selling
was attributable to the more assuring
crop outlook, due to the beneficial
rains over the wheat country east OF
the Rockies. A local expert estimated
that the winter wheat yield would be
more than 6oO,OOo,OOO bu. or about
100000 Blu. larger than last years
crop, which was in turn the largest
ever previously made in the United
States. Liberal primary marketings
and indifferent foreign demand were
other depressing Influences. Shorts"
covered freely on the dips. but the
rallies were feeble, and late tone bare.
ly steady. Corn scored sharp decline
being under pressure from the start.
The weakness in wheat continued dis
couragingly poor demand for corn on
shipping account here and southwest
and the very large receipts all counted
heavily against prices. A great many
timid or exhausted longs" unloaded
and there was more aggressive short"
selling than the trade has seen in a
long time. Shorts covered on the
break and the late tone was fairly
firm. Oats ranged lower in sympathy
with the other markets. Dull shipping
trade, continued liberal receipts and
prospects Of a fairly early seeding of
the crop led to much selling by influ-
entail spectators. Provisions de-
clined sharply under further liquida-
ton by miscellaneous longs" who
were hurried along by pressure from
some of the local bears" Later the
feeling was firmer, due to profit taking
by Shorts" and market closed fairly
steady Supplies still reported heavy
and merchandising conditions little, IL
any, improved.
The trade in cash grain the past
week was reported of very moderate
volume. Consignments continue rath-
er small, due to a considerable extent
to farm activities, and purchases to ar
rive still moderate. Demand for wheat
was little slow and sales not up to
the recent average. Offerings fair.
Prices weak early and steadier later
in the week. Corn in very moderate
demand and offerings were compare
lively small. Prices were lower fol-
lowing futures. Oats were little un-
settled. Demand was fair and sup
plies moderate. Rye ruled quiet and
prices steady. Barley was in fair re-
quest-that is, mailing grades, and the
offerings only moderate. Prices were
little changed. Seeds were rather quiet
and steadier in tone. Choice hay was
quotably firm. Offerings only fair and
demand rather good. Low grades
steady. Supply liberal and demand
moderate.
WHEAT-Tn winter wheat an easy
feeling was developed during the past
week, and prices declined 2@2Ac. The
decline may be partially attributed to
a lack of shipping and export business.
the transactions in cash having been
of a very moderate character but
mainly to the decline in the speculative
market, which was influenced by the
generally favorable conditions of the