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IMPORTATIONS
421
with " cut " during the operation of the Wilson tariff. Since 1897 " cut " stands for unset cut diamonds only.
The Wilson tariff was passed in 1894; the Dingley tariff in 1897. The amounts given during that interval do not represent all that were imported, but those only which came through the customs; undoubtedly many were smuggled in. Nor do the amounts in value give an adequate idea of the comparative yearly quantities. So great has been the advance in price that the number of carats imported in 1888 was probably twice that of 1908.
Dust or bort has increased in addition, from $140 in 1869 to $447,575 in 1905. Since then the importa­tions have declined as follows:
Prior to and since the Wilson tariff, rough diamonds were nondutiable and there was and is a duty of ten per cent, on unset cut diamonds. During the Wilson tariff the duty was ten per cent, on rough, and twenty-five per cent, on cut diamonds.