HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 321 



price. Buyers are all supplied for the moment, and will not pay 45c. 

 Sales are 50 bbls. on private terms. Boston reports, March 9 : " Men- 

 liaden oil is quiet, not much offering ; it is held at 45c., but buyers do 

 not seem to think they can i^ay it. Curriers remain inactive, hence 

 demand for oil is very light." 



March 18. 



Menhaden oil is lower, as some small lots continue to arrive, and are 

 pressed for sale, the larger dealers being all stocked up for the present, 

 and complain of dull trade. Holders generally look for better prices, 

 and refuse to sell at less than 45c. There has been a sale of 170 bbls. 

 for shipment at 42c., and there are some other lots said to be offering at 

 this price to arrive. Boston reports, March IGth : " Menhaden oil is 

 held at 45c. for choice ; some lots a little below standard have been 

 shaded; with only about 1,000 bbls. in first hands, if there is any 

 business tbis spring oil must advance." 



March 25. 



Menhaden oil has arrived very sparingly, and we have heard of no 

 sales since our last ; 45c. is asked, but buyers would not pay more than 

 43c. 



April 1. 



Menhaden oil is very dull. There have been no arrivals, but it would 

 have been difficult to place any quantity even at our lowest price. The 

 only sale we hear of is 50 bbls. prime from second hands at 45c. 



April 8. 



Menhaden oil dull ; no arrivals, but the market is weak, and 41c. will 

 now buy a small lot here. 



April 15. 



Menhaden oil has been slow of sale, with some arrivals of Maine lots 

 on this market. There are sales of some considerable lots, reported 

 chiefly on i)rivate terms, some of which have been held here for some 

 time. The sales foot up 1,255 bbls., j^art at 41c. for prime, up to 42^c. 

 © 43c. for Maine, and a resale of same at 44c. About half of these 

 sales were for export, the advance in gold assisting this trade. 



April 22. 

 Menhaden oil is dull, and can be had at 41c., but there have been no 

 sales of iirime from first hands. Maine oil is held at 42c. Boston re- 

 ports April 20: " Menhaden oil continues dull, and without any demand 

 it is difficult to fix a price. There is oil going to be exported, and if 

 the surplus should be sent away prices will be firmer and higher." 



April 29. 

 Menhaden oil is still very quiet, and we have only 250 bbls. to report 

 sold at 41c. Boston reports, April 27th : " Menhaden oil quiet, and, as 

 there has not been any large sales made, we cannot give price, but it 

 looks as though it would be higher." 

 21 F 



