HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 357 



eels liave been taken at previous figures, and we bear of sales of 250 

 bbls. Sound oil at 44i ® 4jc., IIG bbls. at 44.^0., 500 bbls, at 45c., and 250 

 bbls. at 44 ® 45c. The close is rather quiet, as but few lots are offer- 

 ing. Bleached is held at 53 ® 54c,, with sales of 50 bbls. at 53c. Banks 

 and Straits quiet and steady at 48 ® 50c. 



A correspondent from New Haven, under date of iSroveniberl2, says : 

 " Fat menhaden were caught the first week in this month, but owing to 

 the strong winds and stormy weather the aggregate was quite small. 

 Last week gave but a small quantity and they were quite poor, about 1 J 

 gall, to the thousand. This week will close most of the fishingunless there 

 is a change in quantity and quality. The fishermen are greatly disap- 

 pointed in the result of their fall work." 



November 21. 



Menhaden is strong, as the catch is now said to be about over. There 

 have been sales of 300 bbls. crude at 44 J <a> 45c. Bleached is jobbing 

 at 53c., and a lot of 50 bbls. sold at this price, GO days' time. 



November 28. 

 Menhaden is firm, and prime light oil on spot will bring 45c., at which 

 price we heard of a sale of 100 bbls. ; also 228 bbls. to arrive at 442c., 

 and 78 bbls. brown, on spot, at 44Jc. Bleached is in fair demand, with 

 prices ruling about steady 5 GO bbls. sold at 53c., CO days. 



Decemker 5. 



Menhaden oil has ruled very firm, and there has been a good demand, 

 with stocks in the hands of the dealers not large. The sales reported 

 are 500 bbls. at 45c., 250 bbls. at 45c., and 280 bbls. dark at 44c. 

 Bleached winter is selling fairly, and we note 150 bbls., at 52^c, with 

 some now asking an advance. December 12. 



Menhaden oil is steady, but very quiet. The offerings are moderate, 

 but buyers are not wanting any, except very choice of the last catch. 

 We do not hear of any sales; i)rime would bring 45 ® 45^c., and choice 

 light-colored 46 © 4G-^c. Bleached is steady and in demand, with 100 

 bbls. reported sold at 52^c. cash. Bank and Straits are in light de- 

 mand at former prices. December 19. 



Menhaden oil is firm, and the lots coming to hand are readily taken. 

 There was a cargo in last week, about 500 bbls., 150 bbls. of which sold 

 at 44 ® 45c., 100 bbls. were delivered on a contract made early last 

 summer at 33c., and the balance went into store. Bleached sold last 

 weekat52^c. December 26. 



Menhaden oil has been rather quiet, with a few lots coming in. We 

 heard of a sale of 128 bbls. at 44c., but the price generally quoted is 

 45c. Bleached is steady, with a sale of 5.0 bbls. reported at 52^ c. 



January 2, 1878. 

 Menhaden oil has not sold since our last report that we hear of. A 

 lot could not have been sold at its real value. We understand that 45c. 

 is about the price dealers have marked their stock in taking account. 



