Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-03

On Friday last the commercial year
for the above branch of trade ended, and
a review of the business OF the past
season is exceedingly encouraging.
From April LIST, 1881, to the correspond
ing date this year there had been re-
ceived at this port SO5,991 barrels of
rosin and 57,6S4 barrels of spirits,
against 296, 751 barrels of the former,
and 57,711 of the latter during the sea-
son of 1S80-S1-a gratifying increase IN
all, showing the steady and rapid growth
of this very important business in our
midst. This increase is estimated at ~
per cent. over the year previous to the
one Just ended, and, as is stated in our
revision of the market in Saturday
mornings issue, it not only widens the
distance between Savannah and Charles
ton, making US the second naval stores
port of the country, but it also shows
that we are rapidly overtaking
Wilmington, North Carolina, which
has heretofore occupied the first position.
As further evidence too of the great
strides onward which Savannah is max
ing in this branch of trade, we learn that
there is at present out in advances to
producers of naval stores, over $500, 900
from this city alone, while in 1876, but
six years ago, the advances made by our
merchants amounted scarcely to $780,
600.
Savannah's future prospects as naval
stores port are very bright. During the
past year the number of turpentine farms
in the section tributary to our city were
largely increased over those of the
year previous, and the indication
is that still greater attention
viii be paid this industry during
the season just opening. The pine for
ests along the lines of the Macon and
Brunswick and the Savannah, Florida
and Western Railways have all been tap
ped, and are being actively worked. And
what is still more encouraging, the
virgin pine forests yet in that section of
country are of well nigh limitless extent,
and will furnish an abundance of
valuable products for an indefinite period
to come. When in connection with this
fact it is remembered that the forests
north of us have been, to a great extent,
used up, and in, comparatively speak
ing, few years must be exhausted, it may
readily be seen what an important posi-
ton as a naval stores depot Savannah is
destined to occupy. Indeed it may be
regarded as almost certain that, in very
brief space of time. this city will assume
the position heretofore. occupied by Will
mington and become the first naval
stores, as she is now the first cotton, port
of the Atlantic coast.
The great advantage which this will
prove to our city is that it will give us
a steady and prosperous summer trade.
In former times Savannah was full of
activity and business in the winter, but
during the long summer months the
wheels of commerce were still, and the
busy hum of industry was not heard. In
future, however, this condition of affairs
will be materially changed. The naval
stores season begins just about the time
the cotton season ends, and Cice Uersc.
The effect of this is already to keep a
large number of our merchants and peO-
pie busily engaged during the season in
which, before this branch of trade be-
came prominent, our streets were quiet,
and the business portion Of the city was
well nigh deserted. 1t is, therefore, by
no means unreasonable to expect that in
the near future Savannah will present
as busy an appearance in summer as in
winter, fact which will add greatly to
the commercial importance of our port,
and to the wealth and prosperity of our
city.