REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 283 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



ASSOCIATION RULING ON NEW-LAID EGGS. 



What the association rules as a strictly new-laid egg will be read with interest 

 and is described as follows : — 



All eggs must be shipped new laid. A new-laid egg is an egg that is not over five 

 days old when skipped; an egg that has been gathered promptly and kept in a moder- 

 ately, dry, cool place (under 60 degrees), free from foul odours and other contaminating 

 influences. On holding a new-laid egg to the light, it will be seen that the air space 

 in the large end is very small, not larger than a five cent piece, and the yolk almost 

 invisible. As the age continues the air space enlarges, and the yolk becomes visible. 



POINT V. — RULES GOVERNING BRANCHES OR CIRCLES. 



Eggs should be collected every day and twice per day in warm weather, and put away 

 in a clean, sweet-smelling storing place. No diseased birds or birds showing signs of 

 disease shall be offered for sale. 



The plant and poultry of members of a circle are expected to be kept clean. 

 Inspectors will visit plants from time to time. 



None but artificial eggs should be used for nest eggs. This is important, as it 

 prevents a genuine egg being sat upon by a number of hens in succession. 



All male birds should be shut up or disposed of except from January 1 to June 15. 



No member is to send eggs except those laid by his own hens. 



In case of a complaint by a purchaser against a branch, the manager should be 

 able to trace any misdemeanour to the individual. 



The rating of the produce by the manager of a branch is final. All members must 

 submit to his ruling. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF BRANCHES OR CIRCLES. 



It is recommended that, when necessary, farmers should be instructed as to the 

 value to them and the benefit to the purchasers of placing their poultry products, 

 especially eggs, as quickly as possible on the market. As aids in so doing, the forma- 

 tion of egg circles is recommended. 



It is suggested that where there are cheese or butter factories, these factories 

 might be utilized as aids, or the poultry work added to 'their sphere of action. 



It is not advised that too great an area should be included in the operations of a 

 branch or circle. 



The system adopted should aim at getting the produce together nt a central point 

 which will be convenient and not costly to reach. Members of a circle may bring 

 their own products, or they may be sent for and so collected. 



The central point chosen should have convenient shipping facilities, as in the case 

 of many cheese and butter factories. The central station should have a testing 

 room, grading table, store room, etc. Eggs should be graded and disposed of without 

 delay. 



The officers of a branch or circle should be a manager, or president, a secretary- 

 treasurer and a committee. All should be competent and business-like men. Much 

 depends upon good management. 



The quality of the products is safeguarded by each member of a circle having a 

 stamp with name or branch and number of individual. Eggs and packages of poul- 

 try are stamped. Inferiority of product can thus be traced to the producer. The 

 output of each circle bears its own stamp. Eggs should be collected or sent to the 

 central station three times per week. 



