CALIFORNIAN COMMERCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 200, 10 January 1866, Page 2

CALIFORNIAN COMMERCIAL.

We take the following from the private grain circular issued by Messrs. Falkner, Bell," and Co., of San Francisco, and dated the 28th of October : — We have to report an active business in wheat, flour, and barley, with large transactions ; but oats remain neglected. The demand for wheat has been chiefly for China. One ship — the Nbnpariel — is loading for Liverpool, for account of owners ; but this will probably be the only vessel that will be despatched to that quarter during the present year. The Australian demand for wheat has ceased; but, as we have noted above, that for China still continues. How much will be exported to that country we *re at a loss to conjecture ; but it is not unlikely that, with low freights, say 3dol, to 4dol. per ton, shipments may continue to be made. Wheat. — The demand has been good for the past thirty days, with sales for export of 90,000 sacks, at 2c. Our millers have been eager buyers at Idol. 90e for inferior, to 2dol. per 1001 b. for choice qualities. The amount taken will not fall far short of 60,000 sacks, but there have been no speculative purchases. Our farmers continue very firm in their demands, and until the rainy season has fairly set in we hardly look for any reaction in prices. Barley has been in good request, with 30,000 sacks taken for export to Tquique, at lc. per lb., and 10,000 sacks for 2f ew York, at the same figure. Stocks are 4arge, and prices not likely to improve. Oats remain neglected ; we quote the price still at Idol. 40c. for fair, and Idol. 50c. choice quality, per 1001 b. jflour is still in good demand, at former rates. We quote : — Superfine, in half-sacks, 6dol. 25c. ; do., in quarter-sacks, 6dol. 50c. ; extra, in halfsacks, 6dol. 5c. ; do., in quarter-sacks, 6dol. 65c. ; superfine, in barrels, 6dol. 75c. ; extra, in barrels, 7dol. Wheat. — The exports to Australia since July 1, amount to 75,594 sacks. In addition, there were shipped of Chili wheat to Australia 1,941 lOOlb.-sacks." By way of Sydney we have additional Californiannews. The following is the commercial article from the Evening Bulletin : — There appears to be a little more animation in the general markets, though the continued absence of several ships over-due from Eastern Atlantic ports, with goods which are scarce and wanted, is a serious drawback to the progress of the fall trade. The consequence is, certain articles of prune necessity are selling at extreme prices. The produce markets generally are firm, with a fair , business. Our wholesale price current is again printed, but, in view of the barrenness of supplies of many commodities, quotations are largely nominal. Although there is no authentic information with regard to the magnitude of the cereal crops in this State the current year, it is the generally accepted opinion that the yield of wheat and barley is in excess of that of any previous season. It is therefore a matter of no little importance to ascertain the state of the markets abroad, in order to see what the prospects are for supplying the deficiencies. From the latest accounts at hand, it would seem that England will obtain less than an average harvest, France and Germany fall below their usual amounts, wlrle Spain is said to be in need of succour. We cannot of course know the actual results of those harvests for some weeks hence, for the reason that they are much later than those of our Eastern States. Still it is positively asserted that they will be largely deficient at the best, and in that case here are but two adequate resorts, viz., the Danubian Principalities and the United States. The former, ie is said, will have a smaller surplus than usual, so that the duty of supplying the European deficit may perhaps devolve largely upon the United States. None of the estimates of the European gram crop, that we have seen, place it at more than 90 per cent., of an average, while some go as low as 50 per cent. Probably the true figure will fall somewhat between the two extremes. What the yield of wheat will be in the States east of the Rocky Mountains, it is of course impossible to foretell with any degree of certainty. We have heard much of late about the serious damage sustained by excessive rains in some of the Western States during the latter part of July, but speculators in the East, it is well known, are prone to exaggerate all drawbacks in this connection for sinister purposes. We are therefore inclined to believe that the damage done is overestimated, and that taking into consideration the increased area under cultivation the yield will be nearly or quite aa average. It turns out, too, that there is a much larger supply of last year's crops in the West than has generally been expected, the farmers having held back their supplies last season, in the hope of obtaining extreme prices. The receipts of old wheat at Milwaukee aud some other Lake ports, at last accounts, are said to have been double those of the corresponding date last year, when the West was pretty thoroughly drained. But should the wheat crop hi the East in reality prove short, we have in the State a surplus to spare for needy foreign countries. Indeed, we are informed that orders from Europe have already been received, but the' low prices at which they are limited preclude their execution. According to the latest quotations in the English markets, and with £3 per ton freight as a basis, wheat cannot be profitably shipped hence to Great Britain at a higher cost than 1 dollar 35 cents to 1 dollar 40 cents per lOOlbs, so that the prospect of finding an outlet in that direction is not very encouraging at the moment. It is understood, however, that there is some probability of a large influx of tonnage from China, in which event freights may rule low enough to make it an object to ship wheat to Europe later in the season, Our warehouses are rapidly filling vp } and should

circumstances prove favorable, we may loo£ lor extraordinary activity in the export trade during the winter. In any event, there is likely to be a, continued demand for China, Australia, and Mexico. We shall watch the course oi the foreign markets with no small degree of interest. Flour— A good demand prevails, and the production of the local mills are sold up close. \Ve note some demand for shipment over the mountains. Extra, in half and quarter- sacks, may be quoted at 6 dollars 25 cents to 6 dollars 50 cents for standard brands, and superfine 5 dollars 62i cents to 6 dollars per barrel. . , Wheat rules steady, with a fair demand. Sales: 700 sacks poor. No. 2, at 1 dollar 75 cents, and 4500 ditto good to choice, 1 dollar 90 cents to 1 dollar 95 cents, chiefly at 1 dollar 90 cents to 1 dollar 92£ cents per 1001 b; also, 1800 sacks bakers', 1 dollar 95 cents per 1001 b. ,' Barley— A firm market with a good demand. Sales: 2100 sacks good feed, at 1 dollar, and 500 ditto ordinary, 97* cents. Prime brewing may be quoted at 1 dollar 2£ cents to 1 dollar 5 cents per 1001 b. Corn— Another lot of 50 sacks inferior new white Stockton brought 1 dollar 87* cents per 1001 b. ... ... Oats— Sales 200 sacks good at 1 dollar 45 cents, and 500 ditto ordinary about 1 dollar 35 cents per 1001 b. Potatoes are selling to-day, at 1 dollar to 1 dollar 12£ cents for good and prime Bay, 1 dollar 12* cents for Mission, and 1 dollar 25 cents for Lighthouse. Bedega are worth 1 dollar 37£ cents to 1 dollar 50 cents per 1001 b.