HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 329 



January 13. 



Meubaden oil is in a position rather difficult to report. There are no 

 lots on spot offering-, and to arrive 40c. is asked, which buyers as yet are 

 not willing- to pay, but 3Sc. has been bid. There will probably be some- 

 thing- done after the manufacturers' meeting to-morrow. We have not 

 heard of a single sale for a week. The last lot was reported at 39c. by 

 seller and 38c. by buyer. We hear that 130 bbls. of light, pressed, have 

 been sold for shipment at 44c. 



Boston reports, Jan. llth : " Menhaden oil remains quiet, without any 

 demand, and the price is nominal," 



January 20. 



Menhaden oil is firm, but quiet, at 40c., at which price there are 

 sellers. Buyers have not as yet made up their minds to i)ny this yet, 

 but there seems to be every prospect that a higher price will be reached 

 before long. The sales are 100 bbis. prime Western at 40c., and we hear of 

 a lot of inferior having sold in New Bedford to go to Boston, 200 bbls., 

 at about 3Sc. We also hear that a fisherman has bought 500 bbls. on 

 speculation at 40c., but we were unable to learn when it was to be 

 delivered. 



January 27. 



Menhaden oil is very quiet ; neither buyers nor sellers being inclined 



to make any concessions at the present time. The market, however, 



may be quoted very strong at 40c., and most holders ask more. Since 



our last there has been but one sale, from a dealer to a dealer, of about 



7,000 gallons in casks, at 42c. from store. Boston reports, Jan. 25ch : 



"Menhaden oil is held more firmly at 45c. since the meeting of the oil 



manufacturers held in New York ; some sales have been made at 40 ® 



41c. by parties that wanted to realize." 



February 3. 



Menhaden oil is dull and very slow of sale ; in fact, there have been 

 no sales, and prices are hardly more than nominal. 



February 10. 



Menhaden oil has been in more demand, and we look for an active 

 business within the next week or two. There have been sales reported 

 since our last of 500 bbls. of Western oil, at 40c., for March delivery, 

 and this afternoon we hear that 511 bbls. sold at 41c., and about 1,000 

 bbls. more on private terms; the advance in gold caused a firu^er 

 feeling. 



Boston reports, Feby. 8th : " Menhaden oil. — There seems to be more 

 demand, and we note a sale of 2,000 bbls. Maine, at 45c., in New Bed- 

 ford, and a sale here of 50 bbis. at 45c. Should an active demand arise 

 from consumers it is thought that oil would go to 50c., as all the oil is 

 in the hands of a few manufacturers, and their views are that prices 

 will be higher." 



February 17, 



Menhaden oil can hardly be quoted higher, though one dealer has re- 



