326 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



September 30. 



Menhaden oil has not come forward at all freely, and holders ask an 

 advance on lots on the way. We hear of 300 bbls. offering to arrive. 

 Bnyers report a quiet market and show no willingness to meet sellers. 

 We hear that fish are abundant but the yield of oil small. 



Boston reports, Sep. 28th : " Mendaden oil remains without activity^ 

 The views of buyers and sellers do not harmonize. Manufacturers are 

 holding at 4:0c. and dealers will not pay over 30 © 38c." 



October 7. 



Menhaden oil closes firmer, with dealers rather inclined to stock up. 

 We have conflicting reports from the Boston market with reference to 

 Maine oil. Our correspondent does not give us any sales at the ask- 

 ing price of holders, but trustworthy parties here say that 900 bbls. 

 "Gallup" make were sold there to go to Gloucester at 40c. The sales 

 here are 150 bbls., at 35i^c. ; 100 bbls., at 353c. ; 370 bbls., on spot, at 

 36c. ; 12,000 gallons, to arrive, at 3Gc., and a report of 70 bbls. very 

 choice, at 37c. 



Boston reports, Oct. 5th : " Menhaden. — There is a stand-still, owing 

 to the difference between the views of buyers and sellers, one side hold- 

 ing at 40c. and the other only offering 35 ® 3Gc. The fishing season is 

 nearly over, and it is about time to get results of the season's work." 



October 14. 



Menhaden is very firm and the tendency is upward, with a demand 

 both for export and home use. The business the past week has footed 

 up 650 bbls. at 37c. for brown and 3Sc. for light, including 250 bbls. for 

 export. At the close 40c. is asked and 38c. would be paid. 



Boston reports, Oct. 12th : " Menhaden oil. — More demand from deal- 

 ers, and prices are 38 © 40c. Manufacturers are thinking of advancing 

 the price to 45c. ; if they should it would be holding it out of the market. 

 There have been sales of several hundred barrels at 40c. 



October 21. 



Menhaden oil is higher ; the news of the very light catch of Arctic 

 whale oil was the immediate cause of an advance of about 2c. There are 

 now many buyers and few sellers. There were sales following our last 

 of 100 bbls. brown at 37^c. ; 350 bbls., for export, at 39^0.; and 300 

 bbls. Maine oil, at 42c. At the close the market is very much unsettled, 

 but the tendency is upward. Boston reports, Oct. 19th, " Menhaden oil 

 is firmer and is selling at 38 © 40c., although manufacturers are holding 

 at 40c." 



October 28. 



Menhaden oil is again firmer, and toward the close there was consider- 

 able excitement, owing to dealers stocking up. The market closes strong, 

 with many buyers and few sellers. Sales are 78 bbls. ordinary, at 42Jc. ; 

 100 bbls., at 4.3c. ; 150 bbls., at 43c. ; 90 bbls., at 43^c. ; 400 bbls. Maine 

 oil, at New Bedford, at 42c. cash ; 600 bbls. do., light colored, to come 



