HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 323 



at 3Sc. and 500 bbls. for export on private terms. The tisbing is said 

 to be very favorable and the make large. Boston reports, June loth: 

 " Menhaden oil, small sales at 40c. The demand is light, as curriers are 

 doing comparitively nothing. The eastern manufacturers are making 

 preparations for doing a large business, and intend commencing in 

 ii few days if the flsh should arrive." 



June 24. 



JMeuhadeu has been offered freely and closes easy, though there are 

 bu;\ers for ex[)ort at better than the lowest price, which was a lot of 140 

 bbls. i)rime, at 35c. The market closes, we think, at about oCc. There 

 is a fair demand for pressed oil. 



July 1. 



]\Ienhaden oil has not come to hand quite so freely of late, and buyers 

 begin to think that better prices may rule. There have been sales of 

 550 bbls. at 35 ® 3Gc., part at the latter price was for export, and we 

 would quote the market firm at the close at 3Gc. and some of the fisher- 

 men asiciug higher prices. Boston reports, June 22d : "Menhaden oil — 

 Some 400 bbls., all that remains of last season's catch on the coast of 

 IMaine has been shipped to Liver[)ool dnriug the past week. There 

 have been no sales of new oil ; prices asked are 37 ® 38c. The weather 

 has been such as to prevent taking any fish the past week. All are 

 anxiously looking to the Maine fisheries for a supply of oil, which have 

 failed them from seal fisheries and cotton-seed." Boston reports, June 

 29th: '-Menhaden oil — The catch of fish has commenced on the coast 

 of Maine, but the quality is such that the yield of oil is small. The 

 exi)ense of manufacturing oil is so great that, unless oil should bring 

 40c. or upwiird, it will be unremunerative to the makers of oil." 



July 8. 



Menhaden oil continued to increase in firmness following the date of 



our last report, and sales have been made of fully 1,000 barrels chiefly 



at 37c., and largely for export. Many of the fishermen are asking 40c., 



and are not offering to sell at less; if the receipts increase this week 



again the price wi'l probably decline, but should they continue lo be 



only moderate 40c. would prebably be rt ached. 



July 15. 



Menhaden oil has come forward a little more freely, and as the demand 



is not urgent for either home use or export prices are a trifle easier. 



There have been sales of 150 bbls. for export at 3Gc. At the close 30c. 



is asked and 35c. has been bid, and sales made of 123 bbls. for home use 



at 35c'. Boston, reports July 13th : "Menhaden oil — There has been 



a sale of 1,000 bbls. at 38 ®. 39c. of this year's catch, but at tlie close 



fishermen are asking 40c. The weather has been very unfavorable the 



past week, and should it continue it will have a tendency to advance 



the price of oil. Much depends upon the results of the fishing for the 



next three weeks. The cost of oil has been increased materially by the 



introduction of steamers, and 42c. is a low price for nice Eastern oil." 



