334 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER* OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



OD spot, for export, to complete an order, at Goc. ; and a parcel of about 

 50 bbls., select, on private terms, probably at about 30c. 



Our reports from the Western fishermen are that the fishing is poor, 

 and the yield only about 2® 2^ gallons per thousand. From Maine we 

 hear that the fish are rather scarce, and the yiejd about 4 gallons per 

 thousand. The Maine fishermen seem to be adopting a different course 

 this season from last. Last year they carried their stock over into the 

 present catch, but they are sending forward their new oil as early as 

 possible now. 



July 28. 



Menhaden oil has not arrived so freely, but one lot that we heard of 

 last week coming on the market. The demand has been entirely for 

 home buyers, and they have not wanted very large parcels. The decline 

 in gold caused shippers to reduce their limits to 33c., but the advance 

 to-day may helj) matters, though no effect is yet noticed. To day three 

 lots came to hand; in all, a little more than .00 bbls. 130 bbls. of 

 this sold at 34^c.; and 100 bbls., hardly prime, sold at 34c. The other 

 lot is still unsold. Being mostly light-colored, it is held at a higher 

 price. The lot mentioned as having come to hand last week was 135 

 bbls., and brought 34Jc. 



August 4. 



Menhaden has not come to hand very freely, as the catch of fish is 

 sm.ill aud yield of oil light. In consequeuce, we are informed that some 

 of the fishermen have closed their works till fall, or such time as tlie fish 

 yield enough oil to make it i)ay. While the arrivals have been small, 

 they have been all that the market could bear, and in some instances 

 prices have been shaded a little. There is little or no demand for ex- 

 l)ort, except at 33 c. for light oil. The sales are : 100 bbls. prime light, 

 at 34c. ; 60 bbls. do., at 34^c. ; 70 bbls., at 33Jc. ; 62 bbls., at 33^c. j 

 37 bbls., at 33c. ; and 1,600 bbls. Maine oil in New Bedford, at 35c. 

 The Maine make this season, thus far, has been about 5,000 bbls. The 

 yield of oil per thousand fish on Long L^land is an average of H gallons. 



August 11. 

 Menhaden oil has come to hand fairly, and several lots of Maine oil 

 have been offered for shipment. There is no difference in price between 

 Maine and Western oil, the former being in comparatively larger sup- 

 ply. Dealers are buying sparingly, as their trade is dull, and the tend- 

 ency of prices is downward, toward the price shippers can afford to pay, 

 which, at the present, is said not to be more than 32c. for the choicest 

 lots. This is very low; but the fishermen, said to be making less than 

 former seasons, seem to be forwarding their oil pretty rapidly. On 

 Wednesday, 500 bbls. of Maine oil sold at 33c., and 100 bbls. Western 

 at same price. Thursday a straight lot of 1,000 bbls. Maine was offered 

 at 33c. without finding a buyer. Since then there have been sales of 

 500 bbls. on private terms. At the close the market looks as though 

 30c. would be a near-future price. 



