Sherry. The importers of sherry during the past year have not done as well as they expected to on the first of January last, and the total importations were about 58,000 gallons less than in 1885, notwithstanding the fact that some large importations were delayed a year ago and appear in the latest total. Nevertheless the quantity imported during the past year was considerably larger than that of 1884. Below are the importations of the past six years: Port. The importations of port wine during the past year have been larger than in any one of the previous six years, with the single exception of 1883, when they were about 10,000 gallons larger. This is one of the most encouraging results of the footing up of the past year's business, and the outlook for 1887 is very good. The quantities follow: Rhine and Moselle.-The importations of German wines during 1886 were about the same as the previous year. During the past six years there has been a large and steady growth of the German wines in popularity, and notwithstanding general business depression, competition in lower grades and the scarcity of money, it is clear that there is a great future for them in this country. The following table shows the exact figures: Spanish Red Wines.-The importations of Spanish red wines during the past year were larger than in either 1884 or 1885. Totals since 1880 are: 1881,. 1882, 1883,. ..galls. 281,575 | 1884,. 368,550 1886,. ..galls. 229,441 222,660 234,271 Italian Wines.-These wines have had a better year almost than any other branch of the trade, having been imported in larger quantities than ever before, and with an unprecedented increase over the previous year. They have increased enormously in popularity within even the past six years, and are getting to be better and better appreciated as time goes on. The total importations for six years are: D Madeira.-The importations of Madeira for the past year show, perhaps, a larger proportionate increase over those of the previous year than the importations of any other wine, and were the largest for over a quarter of a century, being about 2,900 gallons in excess of 1884, which was the largest importation up to that time. The following are the totals for six years past: 1881,. 1882,. 1883, galls. 8,089 | 1884,. 7,018 1885,. ..galls. 11,286 5,000 14,258 Brandy. The importations of brandy during 1886 were smaller than ever before, and there has been an almost uninterrupted falling off during the past six years. This is due mainly to the limited production and consequent high price of brandy, which has now come to be a very expensive luxury. The high tariff has also done much to curtail importations. It is to be hoped that 1887 will see more improvement in the business. Below are the importations for six years past: Holland Gin.-There has been a considerable decrease in the importation of Holland gin during the past year, as will be seen from the following figures. The importers must bestir themselves if they are to keep up to the records of previous years: British Gin. The receipts of British gin show a slight decrease in bulk and an increase in cases, though taken together they show a fairly steady growth in the popularity and consumption of this product. The importations for the past six years are St. Croix Rum.-The importations during 1886 were in excess of those of the previous year, but still much below those of the preceding three years, as will be seen from the following table: 1883,. 1884,. .galls. 37,110 | 1885,.. 1886, ..galls. 23,317 31,970 Jamaica Rum.-The importations of this spirit during the past year were largely in excess of those of 1885, and the largest recorded for any single year, as will be seen from the following table, which gives the totals since 1881: Scotch and Irish Whiskies.-The importations of these goods in bulk during the past year were slightly below those of 1885, while the importations in glass were the largest in six years, as will be seen from the following table : Cordials. The quantities of these goods received during the year make a larger total than the importations of any previous year. Below are the figures for six years: Ale and Beer. The receipts for the year indicate no decline in the popularity of these goods. The figures since 1880 are: California Wines.-During the past year the shipments of wine from California by rail were largely in excess of those of 1885, being 4,668,725 gallons, as against about 3,000,000 gallons for that year. The shipments by the Pacific Mail steamships and by sea direct show a corresponding decrease, as will be seen from the following table, covering a period of six years: California Brandies.-The receipts of California brandies by sea during the past year show an increase over those of 1885, as will be seen from the following table : The shipments by rail from California during the year amounted to about 200,000 gallons. Whisky. The arrivals of domestic whisky at this port during the past year were smaller in amount than in any year since 1882, as will be seen from the following table: Alcohol. The foreign demand for our alcohol during 1886 was smaller than it has been for years, and has had the effect of materially reducing the receipts at New-York. The figures are as fol lows: The exports of alcohol during the last year amounted to 28,126 barrels, of which 20,601 barrels were exported from January to June, and the balance, 7,525 barrels, during the last six months. From the beginning of the year to the end, the shipments have gradually grown smaller. The figures for January were 5,541 barrels, for December only 542 barrels. The distillers have thus far been successful in carrying out the agreement made in September last, not to manufacture any alcohol for export to Europe as long as the prices there remain so much below what they can obtain in the United States, and there is no doubt that they will be able to continue to do so throughout the season. The last large lot shipped to Europe brought 22 cents (September shipment); no round lots have been placed on the export market since. The small lots sold for out of way ports, such as Aspinwall, Santa Cruz, etc., and the finished goods sent to England have brought considerably better prices. During December the demand for home consumption was exceedingly brisk, and every thing indicates that the same will be the case in January, which precludes the possibility of an accumulation of stock and the offering of any large quantity for export. The price for home consumption is now equivalent to about 49 cents, which explains why the distillers are not inclined to sell for export at 22 cents. The following are the details of the clearances for the year 1886: Sundry |