individual port of entry as in any manner reflecting the volume or character of the trade of that port, and the only comprehensive and intelligent way to arrive at a reliable estimate of the volume of business transacted is to treat the entire export from China and Japan as one quantity, regardless of the route by which it was shipped hither, or the seaport through which it entered. The keen competition between trans-continental lines of railroad has led to wide distribution of supplies entering Pacific ports to destinations east of the Rocky Mountains, and consequently the tea trade of New-York, or San Francisco, or Tacoma cannot be separated from the tea trade of the whole country, and this is the most comprehensive way to treat the subject in reviewing the business of the year. It is also necessary to take into account the direct shipments to Canada, for the reason that a considerable proportion of the export from China and Japan has an optional destination for Canada or the United States, which, although declared, is not determined until after the goods are landed, and hence it is difficult to trace out the invoices that find a final resting place on either side of the boundary line, and to apportion with any exactness the distribution that is actually consumed in the United States or the Dominion of Canada. In dealing, therefore, with the supply, the exports to the whole North American continent are considered. The tea season in China and Japan commences June 1st, as that is the date when the new season's growth usually comes upon the market in quantity, and lasts until the end of May of the succeeding year. The entire export for the season 1892-93 has not, therefore, as yet reached its destination, and the total quantity cannot be given here with exactness, but a close approximate is possible from the advices received by mail and cable. The following table is based upon the latest advices, and is near enough for all practical purposes, showing as it does the total export for the present season, with comparisons for the two previous seasons : These figures indicate a very heavy increase in the total export for the season, which is probably the largest in the history of the country. The increase is altogether in all descriptions of China teas, the importations from Japan showing no material change compared with last year. An increase is shown of about two million pounds in Green and Formosa, and over two millions in the direct and indirect shipments of Congou. Consumption.--The only way of arriving at an estimate of the actual deliveries for consumption is to take an average of the imports for several years. No statistics are kept of the stocks in first or second hands, and only a rough estimate of the quantity can be made, but those who are accustomed to keep a close run of the course of trade estimate that there is annually used up in the United States about 81,000,000 pounds, in Canada, about 12,000,000 pounds, direct import, and that the remainder of the imports represent the stocks that will be carried over from the old into the new season. The per capita consumption in this country has remained at about 14 pounds for a number of years, while in Canada it is 3 pounds. The new season in 1893 opened with abundant receipts, but owing to the fact that the larger dealers all over the country, but more especially in the important cities, sent liberal credits to the East for the purchase of the new crop, the importations came through what would be usually termed second hands. These parties used every effort to distribute their receipts to retailers, regardless of landed cost, but all through the months of June, July, August and September, the new season's tea was difficult to place in large quantities, owing to the lack of disposition as well as ability on the part of retailers, on account of the panic, to purchase beyond their immediate wants. As the natural result of these conditions, together with the fact that the quality of all descriptions was poor, and that the value of silver was steadily dropping, prices were constantly declining all through these months, until a point was reached where further export from China and Japan meant certain loss, and hence from the middle of August to about the middle of September, credits were cancelled and shipments practically ceased. During the month of September the quality of the receipts of Formosa in the producing market having improved, and the price of Greens having dropped to a very low point, our dealers were induced to make fresh purchases, with the expectation that by the time these shipments arrived at their destination, the financial and commercial situation would have improved sufficiently to insure a good market for these goods, at profitable prices. This forecast proved true with respect to the summer crop, Formosa, Pingsuey and fine drawing Greens, which returned a fair profit on their arrival in November and December, but as usual, in such cases, the matter was overdone, and since then up to date importations have shown almost a continuous loss. Japans. The total imports for the season will be about the same as last year, but notwithstanding this fact, shipments have generally resulted in a loss to importers. Greens.-There has been an increase of about two million pounds in the receipts compared with last year, the excess having been altogether in the common grades, which it has been necessary to force off through the auction rooms. The United States Inspector has rejected about 30,000 to 40,000 boxes Pingsuey, of which fully two-thirds was finally condemned upon arbitration. This fact will likely lead to the exercise of more careful scrutiny in making ship ments next season. Formosa Oolongs.-The receipts have been considerably larger than last year, and prices have ruled unusually low. The supply of really fine tea early in the season was quite moderate, while the early summer crop was of superior quality, and hence all these receipts were disposed of at fair prices. Amoy Oolongs.-The total shipments have again been in excess of the previous season, and the price has declined to a lower level than hitherto known. The low price and good quality of Formosa have been instrumental in throwing these kinds out of consumption. Foochow. The supply has been rather larger than last year, but the average quality has been poor, and obtainable at prices from 2 @ 3 cents per pound below those ruling in 1892. Congous. Owing to the demand in Russia for the lower grades of early tea, prices were from two to three cents higher than the previous season, but the very inferior quality of both North and South Country tea caused them to meet with very little demand, except at extremely low figures. The surplus consists of the inferior grades, which sell as low as nine to ten cents per pound. India Tea.-The demand for these descriptions is gradually increasing, but the total receipts are comparatively insignificant, and they are used almost entirely for mixing and making blends. REVIEW OF THE WINE AND SPIRIT TRADE OF NEW-YORK, FOR THE YEAR 1893. EIGHTEEN hundred and ninety-three will be long remembered as one of the worst years that the trade has ever experienced. The year began inauspiciously for the whisky trade, on account of the enormous surplus of cheap whisky which was carried over from 1892; the cause of which surplus being a speculative feeling induced by a prospective increase of the internal revenue tax on whisky. In reviewing the past year it is remarkable how few failures have occurred in the trade. Such a result is due to either a strong financial position or good management, or both, and the trade may congratulate itself upon coming off so well. Bordeaux and Burgundy.-With a tariff that prohibits the importation of cheap cargo wines, and considering the extreme dullness that has prevailed during the past nine months, the receipts of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines have been wonderfully well maintained during the past year. The consumption of wine is slowly but steadily growing in this country, and with the resumption of good times we look for a decided increase in the demand here for the wines of France. The wonderful vintage of 1893, by the time it is ready for bottling, will, we hope, find a ready and appreciative market in the United States. Eliminating the present stagnation, all signs point to a bright future for the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy in this country. We append the figures for the past six years at the port of New-York: Champagne.-Several years ago we said that champagne was a barometer that indicated, with unusual precision, the existing condition of general business. Our assertion has been verified repeatedly since then, but never more forcibly than during the past year. The statistics of importations into the United States, from January to December, have, with unerring accuracy, shown the state of trade in all branches. There is possibly no business in which the competition is as keen, and in which more concentrated work is done in introducing a brand and maintaining a position once obtained than in champagne, and when trade falls off and the im portations grow smaller month by month, it is a fair indication that the people who usually consume champagne are forced to retrench or are unable to afford the luxury. This is especially applicable to this country, where the wine has grown in popularity until its consumption may almost be termed prodigal. In 1890, owing to the increase in duty under the MCKINLEY tariff, the importations were unusually heavy, but the receipt for the two following years is a fair criterion of the consumptive demand, and accentuates the present condition of business when the totals for 1893 are compared with the preceding five years. The figures speak for themselves, and we are sorry to say are doleful in the extreme, not only as to the champagne business, but to the unfortunate existing state of affairs. Since 1888 the total receipts at New-York were as follows: Cette. The importation of Cette wines continue to grow less and less with each succeeding year. Our domestic wines have almost altogether taken their place, and what little trade there is is confined to one or two houses. The following figures give the receipts at this port : 1888,. 1889,. 1890,. ..galls. 132,740 | 1891,. 68,630 1892, 125,765 1893, .galls. 82,995 34,780 31,120 Madeira.-Although the receipts of Madeira show a slight increase over the past two years, the importations of these wines are far below what they should be. There is hardly a wine that possesses more merit than Madeira, and few to-day that are intrinsically as cheap. There should be a determined and immediate effort made by both shippers and importers to again popularize Madeira in this country. They have the wines, and the people should be informed of the fact. If this is done there is little reason to doubt the result. The figures below stand for the receipts at New-York: 1888,. 1889, 1890, .galls. 14,620 | 1891,. .galls. 3,751 4,182 5,826 Sherry. The general business depression has extended to the sherry trade, and the importations for 1893 are smaller than they have been for any one year since 1879. A falling off of over a hundred thousand gallons in twelve months is a very serious matter, and shows the necessity of hard work upon the part of importers and immediate assistance from the shippers to sustain the popularity that the wine has enjoyed during the past few years. The stock of sherry in the hands of both importers and jobbers is at present small, and with the new year orders should be given more freely. Our figures are for this port only: |