316 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



is held as liigb as 4:5c., but this may be considered au extreme price j 

 probably 42Jc. is a fair quotation for choice oil. 



August 27. 



Menhaden has sustained the advance of last week and rules very firm. 

 There is not much coming in, and jobbers carry small stocks, but a 

 better supply may come in at any moment : and, in consequence, jobbers 

 will not buy more at present rates than they require lor immediate 

 wants. Sales are 30 bbls. nice brown at 45c. ; 50 bbls. choice light at 

 45c., and 150 bbls. on private terms, supposed to have been about 45c., 

 at which the market closes. 



September 3. 



Menhaden oil is very firm, with a small supply coming forward. All 

 lots are taken as fast as they arrive. Sales are 65 barrels at 45c. ; 40 

 barrels inferior on private terms ; 31 barrels prime at 45c. ; 25 barrels 

 at 45 cents, and 35 bbls. to arrive at 45c. Boston reports, Aug. 25: 

 "Menhaden oil remains firm, and sales of 300 barrels have been made 

 at 48, and it is doubtful if any can be had now less than combination 

 price, 50 cents. The weather has been very unfavorable for 10 days 

 past, and the catch very light. The amount of oil taken this season 

 only amounts to about 6,500 barrels, and the expense has been much 

 greater this season, as the fish arc some twenty miles away. The quality 

 of the oil taken is very choice." Sep. 1st: "Menhaden: a sale of 700 

 bbls. prime Maine has been made at 48c. To day a meeting is to be 

 held, and price of manufactures will be put at 50 to 52c., and some say 

 55c. The catch for the past ten days has been very light. Some manu- 

 facturers are holding at 55c. Should two thousand bbls. be shipped, it 

 would advance oil to 50c. firm. Five hundred bbls. are going this week 

 from here to Liverpool, and I hear of other lots to follow.'' 



September 10. 



Menhaden has been more plenty the past week, but is taken freely on 

 arrival at firm prices, the jobbers being short supplied and having a 

 good demand for their kinds from consumers. The sales are 495 bbls. 

 at 45c. cash from dock, and would probably bring 46c. in shipping 

 order ; but we cannot expect any export demand at present prices for 

 oil, unless freights and exchange should very much favor shippers. 

 There have been two lots sent from this market this season — one of 190 

 bbls. on order and one of 100 bbls. on account of a factory. The season 

 thus far has been an unsatisfactory one for those who usually supply 

 this market, and should the fall catch not prove better, we will have to 

 look to Maine for a supply for this market. The fall season is, however, 

 often the best, the fish being usually very fat, and if they catch enough 

 fish may make up for all deficiencies; the fall catch last year was small, 

 however. 



Boston reports, Sep. 8 : "Menhaden continues firm. The manufactur- 

 ers hold at 50c., but I do not know of any sales at that price; 48c. is the 



