AQUATIC PRODUCTS IN ARTS AND INDUSTRIES. 



233 



During tlie last thirty years the product of iiienhaden oil has aver- 

 aged about 2,000,000 gallons annually. The largest yield was in 1878, 

 when .'J, 809, 233 gallons Avere produced, and the smallest in 1881, when 

 tlie reported product was only 1,200,549 gallons. The following sum- 

 mary, compiled from the returns of the United States Menhaden Oil 

 and Guano Association, shows the product for each year from 1873 to 

 1898, inclusive, and also the number of fish taken. For purposes of 

 comparison, the average quantity of oil to the thousand fish in each 

 year is also given. 



Statement of the quantity of menhaden oil manufactured, the number of menhaden 

 utilized, and the average quantity of oil to the thousand fish in each year from 

 1S73 to 189S, inclusive. 



The following shows the lowest and highest prices quoted for crude 

 northern menhaden oil in the New York market each yenY from 1803 

 to 1901, inclusive. These figures are based on the closing quotations 

 published in the New York trade journals.^ especially the Oil, Paint 

 and Drug Reporter, each successive week. 



Statement of the range of prices for crude northern menhaden oil in tlie New 

 York market from 1863 to 1903, inclusive. 



Menhaden oil varies in color from clear straw, through amber and 

 t lie various shades of brown to almost black, depending j)rincipally on 

 the condition of the oliferous material when the oil is rendered. If 



