Number of tons of guano made in 1876 Number of tons of guano made in 1875. Loss 51,245 53, 625 2.380 Number of gallons of oil held by manufacturers January 10, 1877 .... Number of gallons of oil held by manufacturers January 12, 1876..... In excess of amount held January, 1876.... 264,000 *125,000 139,000 Number of tons of guano held by manufacturers January 10, 1877...... 7,275 Number of tons of guano held by manufacturers January 12, 1876 5,200 In excess of amount held January 12, 1876 ..... 2,075 The report of the committee on statistics was accepted. This report is believed to be the most accurate and full of any yet obtained by the association, and the committee are much indebted to Mr. Jasper Pryer for information received and assistance rendered. The officers were chosen for the ensuing year by ballott, and were as follows: President, R. L. Fowler, Guilford, Conn.; first vice-president, Daniel T. Church, Tiverton, R. I.; second vice-president, B. Frank Gallup, Groton, Conn.; secretary and treasurer, H. L. Dudley, New Haven, Conn.; executive committee, R. L. Fowler, Guilford, Conn., George F. Tuthill, Greenport, N. Y., B. F. Brightman, Round Pond, Me. Application for admission as members was made by persons not manufacturers of, but dealers in, oil and guano. After some discussion it was decided to postpone any action upon the matter until the next annual meeting, notice of which is to be given to the applicants by the secretary. Hon. S. L. Goodale, of Saco, Me., made an address upon the food properties of the menhaden, and produced samples of an extract obtained from menhaden, which has been pronounced by the most eminent scientific authorities quite equal in nutritious properties to the well-known beef extract. The menhaden extract was sampled by the association, and not unfavorably compared with the beef extract, a sample of which was also on trial. It is hoped that the successful development of this new branch of the menhaden industry is not far distant. A vote of thanks was given Mr. Goodale for his address. *N. B.-In the estimate of oil held by manufacturers, January 12, 1876, oil at New Bedford was not included, therefore the stock held January, 1877, by manufacturers, is about the same as that of January, 1876; but it was deemed best to include in this and future reports all oil held by manufacturers, or for their account, and thus present a full report of all the oil unsold, or to be put into market, by manufacturers. Encouraging statements in regard to foreign demand for fish guano were made by Mr. Pryer, representing Messrs. Jed. Frye & Co., shipments having been made to Europe by this firm during the past season. More attention is being given to the drying of the fish scrap, as in that form all of our product may be exported at fair prices. A communication from a gentleman engaged in foreign trade was read by Mr. George F. Tuthill, stating that 30,000 tons of the dried fish scrap could be sold annually in Italy, and parties were ready to make contracts for full cargoes. It is probable that a large quantity will be sent abroad the coming season. After some discussion upon fixing a time and place for the next meeting, a vote was passed amending article 7 of the constitution. As amended the article reads as follows: "Article 7. The annual meeting of this association shall be held in January, annually, and the time and place of meeting shall be determined by a majority of the executive committee, and a notice shall be mailed by the secretary to each member of this association fifteen days previous to the time of meeting." As the meeting of the Maine association was held in Boston the day before our meeting, our attendance was small. Another year, probably, the time and place of meeting of this association will be arranged to suit the convenience of a large number of its members. H. L. DUDLEY, Secretary. FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of this association was held at the City Hotel, Providence, R. I., January 9, 1878, the president, R. L. Fowler, in the chair. In the absence of the secretary, Luther Maddocks, esq., was appointed secretary pro tempore. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Treasurer's report read and accepted. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, R. L. Fowler, Guilford, Conn.; first vice-president, Daniel T. Church, Tiverton, R. I.; second vice president, B. Frank Gallup, Groton, Conn.; secretary and treasurer, H. L. Dudley, New Haven, Conn.; executive committee, R. L. Fowler, Guilford, Conn., Isaac Brown, Tiverton, R. I., George W. Miles, Milford, Conn. Voted, To assess each member one dollar, the same to be collected by the treasurer. Isaac Brown, The Narragansett Oil Company, and J. G. White were admitted to membership in the association. Voted, That the next annual meeting of the association be held in New York City. Voted, That any firm or company belonging to the association may be represented at its meetings by proxy. Number of fish caught, estimated by barrels, in 1876..... Gain... Number of gallons oil made in 1876.... 1,708, 166 1, 958, 747 250, 581 2,992, 000 2,426,589 * The difference in capital reported in 1877 from 1876, is mainly represented by fac tories not in operation, and is more properly idle capital than "loss."-SECRETARY In 1877, 5,700 tons of dried scrap were made by the oil and guano manufacturers. Number of gallons oil held by manufacturers January 10, 1877..... Number of gallons oil held by manufacturers January 9, 1878.... 264, 000 86,000 178, 000 Amount less than in 1877............. Number of tons guano held by manufacturers January 10, 1877..... Number of tons guano held by manufacturers January 9, 1878 Amount less than in 1877..... 7,275 1, 640 5, 635 After the report had been accepted and committee discharged, the secretary pro tempore read a paper from Dr. Maylert on the subject of scrap-drying. Remarks upon the same subject were also made by Professor D'Homergue. Prof. S. L. Goodale then addressed the association upon his method of extracting or liberating the oil from fish scrap. A general discussion then took place upon the subject of scrap-drying, and the several new methods proposed to accomplish the object. Much attention is being given to this important matter, and the amount of scrap dried the past season was probably double that of any former year, and as the demand is increasing each year, and the saving in ammonia in the dried material is so large an item, it is hoped that some simple, inexpensive method will soon be found for accomplishing the desired results. The meeting of the association was quite fully attended, and the most interesting yet held. The statistics gathered are believed to be the most accurate of any yet obtained. The stocks on hand, of both oil and guano, are very small. The outlook for the coming season is quite favorable, and better prices will doubtless be obtained than for the past few years. Ammoniacal matter is scarce, and in demand at good prices. H. L. DUDLEY, Secretary. APPENDIX M. ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MENHADEN OIL AND GUANO MANUFACTURERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE. L. Brightman & Sons, Round Pend, Me Number of fishermen employed. Number of vessels. Totals 278, 500 335,000 533 38 17 249 429, 413 2,977 1,204, 055 12, 965 |