314 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



51c. ; and 27 bbls. on private terms. The fishermen report plenty fish 

 but a small yield of oil. Boston, June 2d, reports say : 



"Menhaden oil remaining quiet; most of the old oil has been sold at 

 52 ® 53. The prospect for this season's catch can only be judged by the 

 preparations made for doing the business, all of which are being carried 

 forward on an extensive sale." 



June 11. 



New menhaden has come to hand very slowly, and the market has not 

 declined materially since our last report. We would quote 51® 53c., 

 with sales of 50 bbls. choice at 52c., and 50 bbls at 51® 52c. Jobbing 

 sales at 53c. 



June 18. 



Menhaden oil comes to hand very slowly, the fish being scarce and 

 yielding only about IJ gallons per thousand ; prices remain firm, with 

 sales of 100 bbls. at 51c. for choice brown, and 52c. for select light ; 

 there is but little dark oil coming in and would bring 50c. 



June 25. 



Menhaden is still in light supply and is consequently held firmly; 

 the fish yield rather poorly but are more plenty and are growing fatter. 

 Sales are 75 bbls. light, 25 bbls do. ; 11 bbls. do., at 51c., and 20 bbls. 

 brown at 50c. Boston reports, June 23, 1873, say : 



" Menhaden oil of this season's catch has not yet made its appearance, 

 and report says that there are plenty of fish on the coast of Maine, 

 but the yield of oil very small ; but with good weather the fish will soon 

 be in good condition. Prospect is that we shall not want for menhaden 

 this season." 



July 2. 



Menhaden oil is about Ic. lower at the close, though receipts are not 

 large. We note sales of 150 bbls. at 50c., 51c. for choice, and 20 bbls. 

 inferior at 48c. 



July 9. 



Menhaden is now coming in more freely and has fallen off in value ; 

 last week sale was made of 300 bbls. at 50 ® 51c. ; but yesterday and 

 to-day 150 bbls. were sold at 45 ® 47c. 



July 16. 



Menhaden oil has up to last week come to hand very sparingly, and 

 the price was held up till toward the close at 45c. ; but with more lots 

 pressing in, sales were made of 52 bbls. at 45c. ; 33 bbls. at 43|c., and 

 this week 300 bbls. at 42^ c, at which price the market closed. 



July 23. 

 Menhaden oil has not come in freely, but buyers are holding off, as the 

 market for their product is dull, and in consequence the price is easier; 

 last week a lot of 50 bbls. sold at 42, but yesterday 38 bbls. sold at 41, 

 and to-day 50 bbls. at 41c., at which the market seems to be steady, as 

 40c. has been bid and refused, though should receipts be large a further 

 decline may be looked for. 



