history of the american menhaden. 345 



August 2. 

 Meubatlon oil has not come to Land in any quantity the past week, 

 but, owing to the tact tbat most of the dealers are well stocked up, they 

 are not anxious buyers, and tbe price bas not improved. Tbe reports 

 from tbe fishermen is that there have been but lew taken, and tbey 

 yield a very small quantity of oil. There has been one sale of 100 bbls. 

 at 33c., but lots can be had at 32^c., with no buyers at better than 32c. 



for ordinary quality. 



August 9. 



Menhaden oil is dull ; dealers, being stocked, are not anxious to buy ; 



and, though the fishing is reported as being very poor, no advance can 



be obtained. A choice lot of 290 bbls. sold at 33c., but an ordinary 



parcel could have been bought at 32c., and, not meeting with sale, was 



put into store. 



August 16. 



Menhaden oil has not come to hand very freely, but the supply is equal 



to the demand, as dealers have a stock and do not care to buy large 



lots except at a low price. There has been a shipment of 1,000 bbls. 



Maine, oil sold at 34c., and 400 bbls. Sound oil, part for shipment, at 



32 © 33c. 



August 23. 



Menhaden oil has not come to hand to any extent the past week, and 

 the sales are of only two parcels, in all about 400 bbls., for export, at 

 32c. for Sound make and 33c. for Maine make. The reports from the 

 Long Island coast is that the fish are quite plenty, but the yield of oil 

 is so small, that there is an actual loss in the business. The Maine fish- 

 ing is very good, the fish being ordinarily fat. There are offers to sell 

 brown oil here at 32 ® 33c., but dealers are not anxious buyers, but 

 want a light-colored oil, for which they are willing to pay the highest 

 figure. There are exporters willing to pay 32c. for Maine oil, but though 

 there may be a disposition on the part of the Eastern makers to accept 

 this price, there is a good deal of ditficulty in obtaining a vessel to take 

 freight direct from a Maine port. Unless there can be some sales made 

 for shipment, there will probably be a surplus on our market all year, 

 with no probability of an advance. 



August 30. 



Menhaden oil has been quiet, with moderate arrivals. Buyers will pay 

 3oc. © 34c. for a light-colored lot, but most of them have a supply of 

 dark colored, and are not willing to pay so much. There were sales of 

 400 bbls. at 33 ® 34c. and 75 bbls. on private terms. 



September 6. 

 Menhaden oil has not come to hand very freely, and the market is 

 rather stronger for light-colored oil. The trade will pay 34c. for good, 

 light, sweet oil. The sales are, 100 bbls. at 33c., 80 bbls. at 33c., 200 

 bbls. at 34c., 49 bbls. at 34c., and 60 bbls., irregular quality, at 34c. 

 for prime. 



