HISTORY OF TtUi AMERICAN MENHADEN. 323 



at 38c. nnd 500 bbls. for exi)oit on private terms. The iisliing is said 

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

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

 doing comiuiritively nothing. The eastern manufacturers are making 

 prei)aralions for doing a large business, and intend commencing in 

 a few days if the fish should arrive." 



June 24. 



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

 buyers for export at better than the lowest price, which was a lot of 140 

 bbls. i)rime, at 35c. The market closes, we think, at about 3Gc. There 

 is a fair demand for pressed oil. 



July 1. 



Menhaden 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 ® 36c., part at the latter price was for export, and we 

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

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

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

 Maine has been shipped to Liverpool during 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 

 expense of manufacturing oil is so great that, unless oil should bring 

 40c. or upward, 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 will probably decline, but should they continue to be 

 only moderate 40c. would prebably be reached. 



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 36c. At the close 36c. 

 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 the 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." 



