The market continues to be quiet, and prices move within narrow limits. China has been working both ways and though the Indian bazaars have bought small quantities for shipment, they have also been sellers of silver for forward delivery. This is noteworthy, considering, that, on the whole, the monsoon has been not unfavourable. Reuter thus summarizes the position up to the end of July:—"The monsoon was late everywhere except Bengal. The rainfall - was adequate except in West Madras, Western Bengal, portions of the United Provinces, Rajputana, and the dry zone of Upper Burma. In the latter tract the protracted drought caused anxiety regarding cotton and sesamum. There was some damage to crops by heavy rainfall and floods in parts of Madras, Bengal and Assam. Agricultural operations were re-farded in Central India." The news from Bombay is quite good.
The returns of the six months ending June last are at the rate of 90,000,000 ounces per annum.
The silver quotations to-day for cash and forward delivery are respectively 7; and 3d. above those fixed a week ago.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.