MALT AND REEK IN SI'AMSII AMERICA. 367 



(he American fager introduced here : is of excellent qualil.s and apprc- 

 ciated by the public. It would seem that under these circumstances 

 the brewers of the United States should find in this section an extensive 

 market for their products, but it is their method of packing which mili- 

 tates against their interest. 



As duties in this country are levied upon the gross weight of all im- 

 ports the character of the receptacle is an important factor in calculat- 

 ing cost of introduction. The beer shipped from Germany is packed 

 in boxes made of thin boards and fastened with the lightest and least 

 n umber of nails consistent with safety of transport. The bottles are 

 made of thin, light glass, and the aim of the exporters is, very prop- 

 erly, to reduce as much as possible the weight of their shipments. 



The Americans, on the other hand, although this important point has 

 been repeatedly brought to their attention, persist in packing their 

 goods in such a manner as to add enormously to the import duties. 



Bottles of unnecessarily heavy glass, thick boards for boxes (some of 

 which are of the extraordinary dimensions of 1J inches), a multitude 

 of heavy cut nails, and iron bands of considerable weight all these are 

 used by American exporters of beer, and upon these accessories, which 

 might easily be reduced by more than 50 per cent., the full beer tariff 

 must be paid. 



It should not be a matter of wonder that under these circumstances 

 the importers of this district introduce the German article, as the costs 

 of importation are reduced to a minimum. 



As far as quality and original price at brewery are concerned, Ameri- 

 can beer should have a ready sale in this market, as it can be disposed 

 of at retail, notwithstanding the disadvantages of packing, at from 5J 

 to pesos per box of 24 small bottles of 12 ounces each. 



The ordinary German beer comes as a rule in bottles containing 8 

 ounces, and retails at from 4 to 6 pesos per box of 24 bottles. 



There are also special classes of German beer of superior quality, 

 particularly the Dreher beer of Vienna, which is readily sold here at 14 

 pesos ($10.77 United States gold) per box of 48 bottles (halves). 



The original cost of the ordinary grades of German beer is 10.40 

 marks for 48 bottles, and for the same quantity of the superior quality 

 1M.50 marks (all bottles being halves). 



These invoice prices of the German article are subject to a trade dis- 

 count which is, perhaps, never less than 4 per cent. 



The freights also from Europe to this coast are exceedingly low. The 

 beer comes in sailing vessels which are sent to this port to load wood 

 and divi-divi, and the charterers are glad to get any class of freight at 

 reduced terms, especially as these vessels as a rule are not classed suffi- 

 ciently high to carry valuable or perishable cargo. 



There is really no reason why the brewers of the United States should 

 not establish an extensive trade with this country if they would only 

 study and, bear in mind the peculiarities of the market. 



