HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 317 



liigliest that any larp^e lots have been sold for. The catch is reported 



li{>ht for the past week. 



September 17. 



Menhaden oil is firm and wanted, meeting with a ready sale at 45c. 



for nice brown or light oil. The fall catch cannot be determined yet, 



but we hear that the fish are said to be wild and do not school ; a few 



weeks, however, will determine the fall catch. Sales here : 95 bbls. light 



oil at 45c.; 50 bbls. brown at 45c.; 35 bbls. light at 45c.; 40 bbls. at 45c. 



September 24. 

 Menhaden oil has arrived slowly, and is still firm in price; but with 

 the present uncertain state of the money market and foreign exchange 

 a reaction may take place, as anywhere near present rates there could 

 be nothing done for export. The arrivals and sales have Ijeen 30 bbls. 

 at 47c. ; 120 bbls. at 45c. ; 25 bbls. at 4oc. ; and 22 bbls. at 45c., which 

 l)rice is not to be obtained at the close, and 400 bbls. have gone into store. 

 Jobbers of curriers' oils report rather less doing this week. Boston re- 

 ports, Sep. 22 : " Menhaden oil is held firm at 48 to 50, but no sales have 

 been made over 48. The exportations still continue ; 500 bbls. go^ to 



Liverpool this week." 



October 1. 



Menhaden oil is dull and nominal; there have been fewer arrivals, all 



of which have, however, gone into store, as there are no buyers at more 



than 42c., while holders still ask 45c., though would probably shade 



this price for a cash offer. Boston reports, Sep. 29 : " Menhaden oil : sales 



of several lots of 300 to 500 bbls. at 47 to 48c. and holders are now very 



firm. The catch for the past fifteen days has been better and fish fatter. 



October 8. 



Menhaden oil is not coming forward, and the lots in store have not 



been sold. The market is nominally as quoted in our list. Sales of 21 



barrels on private terms and a report of 75 bbls. for export at 42c., but 



we were not able to verify the import. 



October 15. 



Menhaden oil is not coming in very freely, but the continued dull state 



of the market has caused a decline in prices, and at the close 40c. is the 



best price to be obtained. The home trade are not in the market at all. 



The sales are, 50 bbls. at 42c. ; 56 bbls supposed to be at 41^c. ; and 



3ii0 bbls. at 40 c, all prime lots, the latter for export. We learn that 



the Maine fishermen have closed their factories for the season. 



October 22. 



Menhaden oil is very dull and not coming forward; only 22 bbls. have 



arrived, which sold at 40c. 



October 29. 



Menhaden oil has not arrived freely, but with little or no demand the 



price has fallen off, and sales have been made of 46 .bbls. at 38c., with 



more offering at the close at same price and buyers bidding 35c. This 



