HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 351 



cient stock to supply tlieir wants till new oil readies market, but should 



the catch be later than usual there might be a week or more of scarcity; 



but dealers are generally willing to take their chances rather than buy 



at present. The sales reported are 307 bbls. on private terms. There 



was a lot, a little ofit' quality, sold at 38c. 



April 18. 



Menhaden oil has been weak and drooping for some time pas.^ and 

 to sell low, prices would have to be accepted. There was an export de- 

 mand but at a low price which has been accepted for 1,000 bbls. The 

 terms are kept quiet, but a similar lot would probably not bring better 

 than 35 ® 3Gc. We hear of a small lot of Southern new in market, but 



no price has yet been named for it. 



April 25. 



Menhaden oil has been ofiering freely of late by parties who held 

 stock over from last season in anticipation of higher prices this spring. 

 The consuming trade have taken less than usual and prices were held 

 too high all winter, and until recently, for exporters to make purchases. 

 During the past tAVO weeks, however, holders determined to make sales, 

 and as it would not be taken at home, prices were named that met the 

 views of shippers, and some 3,000 bbls. have been placed for shipment, 

 said to have been at 35 &38c. ; this includes sales reported in last issue, 

 since which we hear of 175 bbls. at 35c., 900 bbls. Maine at 38c., and 

 500 bbls. on private terms. The first new oil came in last week, a small 

 lot o.f 11 bbls. Southern, and a little Off in flavor ; this was sold at 33Jc., 

 a full price. 



May 2. 



Manhadeu oil was easy just previous to our last report and there 

 were sellers at 35Jc., but the following day buyers for export came into 

 market and paid 37^c., delivered, for 500 bbls. A sale was then made 

 for home use of 300 bbls. at 37c. and since 100 bbls. at same price. At 

 the close there are further negotiations for export, but holders have ad- 

 vanced their views. A Long Island newspaper of last week contains 

 the following item, which shows that fishing has commenced : 



" Bunkers caught in the pounds, but not many yet. Cassidy Bros, at 

 Asshamomoque took 3,000 one night. The purse net gangs were out 

 early in the week, but got no fish until Wednesday, when Capt. E. Tall- 

 man took 37,000 and Capt. Jas. Downs about 80,000 fish of very good 

 quality, all of them being quite fat for so early in the season. Capt. 

 Mart. Grifang also took 100,000 the same day." 



May 9. 



Menhaden oil has come to hand freely, and that of the new catch 

 is unusually handsome. During the last week one commission mer- 

 chant sold 1,000 bbls. for export as it arrives at 37 ® 38c. The re- 

 cent sales reported are 100 bbls. new at 36c.; 25 bbls., 36c. ; 250 bbls. 

 old on private terms, said to be 38c. At the close there is not much 

 ofifering, and the market is steady at 37c. A Greenport, L. I., journal 

 of the 5th says : 



