324 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



July 22. 

 Boston rei)orts, July 20th : Menliaden oil — There are orders to buy at 

 prices which the fishermen will not accept. The catch has not been 

 very large during the past week, and tbe'fishermen hold their oil firm at 

 40c. At the close 1 understand several lots are being exported, and 

 should a large quantity be exported it would make prices firm here." 



July 29. 



Menhaden oil has been quiet with but little coming forward ; the price 

 is steady with 35c. for brown, which is the only kind we are now receiv- 

 ing. The feeling among all parties is that theiiresentisaslow as prices 

 will go, and we hear that some of the manufacturers have closed their 

 works ou account of the small yield of oil from the fish ; as little as one 

 gallon to the thousand is reported in some localities. The sales are 300 

 barrels at 35c., and 50 barrels at 35Jc. Boston reports July 27th, "Men- 

 haden quiet; there are some 700 bbls. being exported, and price remains 

 nominal. Fishermen do not care to sell at anything less than 40c., and 

 buyers will not pay it; all wanting." 



August 5. 



Menhaden oil comes forward very slowly, this being what might be 

 termed " between runs," the fish being scarce about the Long Island and 

 Connecticut coasts. Since our last report there have been sales of 150 

 bbls. at 30c. f. o. b. ; 140 bbls. on dock at 35Jc., and 75 bbls. pressed at 

 40c. 



Boston reports, Aug. 3d : " Menhaden Oil — The manufacturers are 

 holding nice oil at 40c., but no sales are made ; some 500 bbls. have 

 been sold at 38c. and some reported at 36 ® 37c. ; the oil being made 

 now is much better in quality than last year at this time." 



August 12. 



Menhaden oil is not coming to hand very freely and rules firm in price; 

 a choice light oil is particularly wanted and commands readily 3Gc., 

 while an oil of dark color will hardly bring 35c. Exporters are in the 

 market. Sales are 70 bbls. choice at 37c. free on board : 400 bbls. to 

 at arrive 35J ® 36c. ; 45 bbls. at 35c. and 20 bbls. at 30c. 



Boston reports, August 10th : " Menhaden oil — A sale of 1,000 bbls. 

 has been made at about 35c. The catch has been fair the last week. 

 Dealers stand back and will not buy at 35c." 



August 19. 



Menhaden oil is firm in price, as not much is coming forward. There 

 have been sales of 300 bbls. at 35c. for brown, and 36c. for light; in 

 shipping order, free on board, 37c. would probably have to be paid. 

 Boston reports, August 17th : ''Menhaden oil — Sale of 500 bbls. for home 

 use at 40c., and for export a sale of 500 bbls. at about 36c. There has 

 been a large quantity exported, taking all the oil as "fast as it is made, 

 and it looks as though a better price would be obtained later in the 

 season." 



