310 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



August li. 



The market for menhaden has been quiet, and Avith dealers less 

 anxious to buy ; the close is easy at about 43c. for light brown. The 

 high prices for freights will not allow of any shipping business at 

 present ruling quotations. The sales reported for the week are 417 bbls. 

 at 43 © 44c., including a resale of 75 bbls. at the outside price; 200 

 bbls. to arrive at 42c., and a lot of 250 bbls. choice light in New Bedford 

 some time since, not before reported, at 45c. 



August 21. 



Menhaden at the moment is scarce ; there are orders here at 43c., 

 but there is no stock to fill them ; considerable lots are reported on the 

 way, and this keeps prices from advancing materially, though we may 

 quote at least Ic. better as the outside i)rice. 



August 28. 



Menhaden oil remains as last reported. Prices are above views of 

 buyers, but the manufacturers will not yield, and the result is that the 

 oil will pass into parties' hands that will make advances on the oil. This 

 locks the oil for the i)resent. 



September 4. 



Menhaden has not been plenty since our last, and a rather firmer tone 

 is reported at the close. We hear of the arrival of a lot of 275 bbls. and 

 of about 750 bbls. more on the way. The sales are 400 bbls., part to 

 arrive, at 44c. for choice light, and 75 bbls., at 43c. for brown, and 40c. 

 for inferior. The fishermen report a fair catch, and we hear that the 

 yield is increasing both here and in Maine. 



September 11. 



Menhaden is firm at the close, with moderate offerings. Last week 

 the receipts were full, but were readily taken at steady prices. This 

 week there have been no arrivals, and the tone firmer; probably 45c. 

 could be obtained for a choice lot The sales re])orted since our last are 

 300 bbls., at 44c. ; 75 bbls., at 44c. ; 168 bbls., at 43 J <a) 44c. ; 90 choice 

 and 70 do., at 44^c. 



September 18. 



Menhaden rules firm, with a small amount arriving; sales 250 bbls. 

 fair brown, at 44c.; 115 bbls. on i)rivate terms; 36 bbls. choice light, 

 at 47c., and 100 choice tanked, at 48c. ; also a rumor of 1,000 in New Bed- 

 ford, at 50c. 



September 25. 



Menhaden has advanced since our last about 4c. per gallon, owing 

 to the small supply offering on the market. Sales have been made of 

 150 bbls., at 49 © 50c. for light brown and choice; 38 bbls. brown, at 

 49c. ; 30 bbls. and 50 bbls., at 50c., at which the market closes strong, 

 with exporters willing to pay this price. 



October 2. 



Menhaden oil has not arrived freely, and the price is rather stronger. 

 Since our last, sales have been made of 150 bbls., at 50c., and to-day a 



