The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-03-11
TRAFFIC IN DRINK.
A Very Large Increase In Foreign Impor.
tatiOns and Domestic Production.

n very Large 1uCrobb0 In r OToiBh AmpOk-
tations and Domestic Production.
General prosperity shows itself more
quickly in the consumption OF wine
than in any other product, and accord
ing to the figures which have just been
made up in the custom-house the last
year has been one of unusual activity.
The importations Of expensive wines
were greater than in any previous
year. When times are dull and money
is hard to get the average American
does not drink so much champagne and
compromises on beer, while even in the
"4OO' Chateau LATTE" is likely to give
place to the excellent but cheaper prod
ucts of California. Last year, however,
was apparently one Of high revel, and
enough rare wine was consumed to float
one of the new American war vessels.
As nine-tenths of the wine importa-
tions of the United States come to this
port the figures of the New York GUS
tom-house represent the tastes of the
country at large. There were 1880, 900
bottles of champagne imported into this
country last year from the vineyards of
France, being an increase of 900, 600 as
compared with the importations of the
previous year. The larger part of this
wine was consumed in this city, and
most of it was consumed within ra-
dius of one mile from Madison square.
1t is not stated how many sore heads re-
suited from the imbibatlon.
The receipts of sherry for 1890
amounted to $50, 900 gallons-more than
in any previous year since 1888, and
200, 900 gallons more than came in last
year. 1t was also the biggest year for
port that the country has ever had,
showing big jump over the importa-
tons of 1889, the total receipts being
111,7s7 gallons in wood and 1900 bot
ties. Seven figures are required to de-
note the quantity of German and Hun
garian wines which arrived in the
United States last year, and was pre-
sumably consumed, being 1,121,9O0 gal
Ions in wood and 1912 bottles, or q
larger amount of these wines than ever
before came to this country in one year.
A few years ago Italian wines were
almost unknown in the United States,
but the remotest coin ers of Europe are
now giving up their choicest products
for American consumption, and Italian
wines have large sale here which is
growing steadily.
The importations of these wines last
year were 100000 gallons in wood and
$4,000 bottles. OF red wines from
Spain more came in last year than ever
before. the aggregate being 247, 700 gal.
Ions. Not since 1888 have the importa'
tions of brandy been as large as they
we're last year. for great quantity was
purposely brought in before the Nc
Kinley bill went into operation, order
to save the heavy duties imposed by
that measure. The quantity of brandy
imported was $50, 200 gallons in woot
and 625, 7SS bottles. The importation.
of British gin were larger than in any
previous year, being 41,9OO gallons in
wood and 232, 500 bottles. Holland
gin showed a slight increase, the impor
tations being 265,O00 gallons in WOOD
and $50, 900 bottles.
st. Croix rum was imported to a
larger extent than ever before, 2O,OO(
gallons having come in, while of Jamai
ca rum there were imported SO, 400 gal
Ions in wood and IL, 900 bottles. Scotch
and Irish whisky show falling off o.
imports, the totals being 81, 800 gallons
in wood and 1850 bottles. Of cor
dials there were $500 cases imported
British ale and beer came in to the
amount of $4,000 packages in bulk ant
SO, 200 bottled, and German ale and beer
s., 200 packages in bulk and 1000 bot
tied. Of ginger sle a6, 700 packages ar
rived; of cherry juice 5000 casks. o.
mineral waters there were $500, 0Ot
gallons imported and of Cette wine.
l25, 200 gallons. Madeira was the only
wine receiv ed from abroad that showed
a decrease of importations, only s,lO(
gallons having arrived.