362 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
In 1876, 2,992,000 gallons of menhaden oil were made, and in 1877, 2,426,589. For the year 
ending June 30, 1877, the production of whale oil was 2,140,047 gallons, and for the year 1877, 
2,151,765 gallons. 
In the Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter for January 14, 1874, the following statement is made: 
“Tt is asserted that while the amount of oil produced is equal to that derived from the whale 
fisheries in this country, the menhaden interest is ahead of the whale; for though the menhaden 
oil sells at a less price per gallon, for every barrel of oil made there is three-quarters of a ton of 
scrap, which readily commands $15 per ton at the factory.” 
This is not true. In 1874, for instance, the value of the sperm oil alone was $1,250,987; that 
of other oils from the whale fishery, $775,919. Total value of oils from the whales, $2,026,906; the 
value of the total products of the whale fishery, $2,291,896. 
By way of further comparison, the cod and seal-oil fishery of Newfoundland and Labrador 
may be instanced. The latest figures at hand show the product of the seal-oil fishery to be 1,500,000 
gallons, and of the cod-oil fishery 900,000. 
COMPARISON OF YIELD OF NITROGEN FROM GUANO ISLANDS.—The refuse products of the oil- 
factories, together with the fish used in a crude state for manure, are estimated to have yielded in 
1875 over 10,000,000 pounds of ammonia in the best possible organic forms. This quantity of 
ammonia is equivalent to at least 60,000,000 po unds of Chincha Island guano, formerly imported 
from Peru, the gold value of which would be not far from $1,920,000. 
In addition to ammonia, the phosphate of lime derived from this source and convertible 
into agricultural products amounted to nearly 1,430,000 pounds, which is the equivalent of nearly 
60,000,000 pounds of Peruvian guano. 
ASSOCIATIONS OF OIL AND GUANO MANUFAOTURERS.—The Association of the Menhaden Oil 
and Guano Manufacturers of Maine was formed in the year 1870. The objects were such as are 
usually sought by organizations of the sort—harmony of action on points affecting the common 
welfare of the business, social acquaintance, and the communication of information as to improved 
processes, &c. The annual meeting is held the second Tuesday in’ January of each year. The 
United States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association was organized in 1873. 
Extent of the menhaden fisheries of Maine for the years 1873 to 1878. 
(Compiled from annual reports of Maine Association.]} 
1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877, 1878. 
Capital in factories ...........--..-----+-+ $278, 500 $316, 000 $397, 000 $431, 000 $459, 812 $467, 812 
Capital in vessels and gear ........-.----. $335,000 | $390,500 | $482,000} $552,000 | $623,800 | $584, 000 
Number of fishermen .....-......--------- 533 561 ~ 971 758 727 682 
Number of factory hands......... eearigeae 249 804 373 371 300 324 
Number of sail vessels......-..-.-----226+ td 38 37 36 29 13 |aescmscisineis 
Number of steamers. ......-...-...0------ a 22 31 43 48 48 
Barrels of fish taken at the factories... -.- 429, 413 621, 861 635, 771 709, 000 587, 145 616, 851 
Barrels of fish sold for bait ..............- 2,977 10, 400 10, 752 8, 432 10, 795 14, 100 
Gallons of oil made ..........--2-2-2-+22+ 1,204,055 | 1,931,037] 1,514,881 | 2,143,273 | 1,166,213 | 1,714, 884 
Tons of crude guano made............---- 12, 965 19, 295 19, 395 21, 414 16, 666 18, 328 
10. THE USES OF MENHADEN OIL; THE OIL MARKET. 
THE USES OF MENHADEN OIL.—The uses of menhaden oil are manifold. Itis chiefly employed 
as a substitute for the more costly and popular oils and to adulterate them. It is sold largely to 
tanneries for currying leather. After the hide has been “ dressed,” i. ¢., after its coarser fleshy 
parts have been pared off, the oil, mixed with tallow, is applied. This is technically called “stuff- 
ing,” and resuits in qualifying any residue of alkali left from the “liming” process and in filling 
t 
