HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 347 



One fisherman reports having taken onlj'S bbls. from 400,000 fisli. There 



are no offerings of any acconnt, and good oil is wanted at 38c., and a 



choice lot might bring 40c., as the stock in the hands of dealers is small. 



There have been no sales hero this week that we learn of, but last week 



100 bbls. brown sold at 35c., 700 bbls. fair at 35c., and 30 bbls. prime at 



37c. 



October 18. 



Menhaden oil is scarce and higher, as there have been no arrivals. 

 The supply here is mostly in a few dealers' hands, and there is said to 

 be very little oil left on Long Island Sound, but we also hear that the 

 catch is better in Narragansett than at any time this year, and one 

 maker took 400 bbls. of oil in the last ten days. The price will proba- 

 bly rule firm, however, as the fishing can hardly last long enough to get 

 more than is actually wanted, and should there not be a continuance of 

 the good fishing there may be an actual scarcity, which would result in 

 very high prices. At the close, spot oil will bring very high prices, and 

 one party holds good crude at 45c., with a sale of tiOO bbls at 42c. The 

 large movement in the East will advance prices there also. The past 

 two days have been too windy for taking fish, and several gangs of 

 fishermen have hauled up. The only sales here are 200 bbls. from sec- 

 ond hand at 38®40c., the latter price paid at the close. We also heard 

 of 250 bbls. Sound oil to arrive, and the make for the balance of the 

 season of the two largest concerns to a dealer at a private price. 



October 25. 



Menhaden oil is firm and active, and advanced prices are likely to be 

 established unless the present fine weather should continue, which will 

 enable the fishermen to make a month's catch yet, which will likely give 

 a supply sufiQcient for the wants of the trade, yet the advance in whale- 

 oil may so affect the market as to counteract the coming catch, and 

 thereby cause prices to go still higher. We hear of recent purchases 

 of 300 bbls. of Sound oil which have been put in store at a private price, 

 but probably at 40c.; holders are now asking 45c. here, and we hear of 

 no sales at less than 42c. for a prime article. 



November 1. 



Menhaden oil is hardly so strong in price as two weeks ago, as the 

 catch in the Sound and Narragansett Bay has improved considerably; 

 at the former place fish are plenty and fat, yielding a choice oil. There 

 will, however, be no material decline in prices, unless the make should 

 be very large, as the supply in the hands of dealers is not sufficient to 

 carry them through the season, and there are said to be export orders 

 at 42Jc. The sales since our last are 350 bbls., Barren Island make, to 

 arrive, at or about 42c. There were arrivals of 400 bbls., which had 

 been sold some ten days or more, at 40c. Pressed oil has been sold in 

 25-bbl. lots at 45c. 



November 8. 



Menhaden oil is easier and lower since last week, on account of the 



