442 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



commission and freight and paid the balance to each member 

 on his return trip the following week. The eggs were all sent 

 to a large poultry produce firm in Toronto who were willing 

 to give a premium price for the eggs. 



Duties of the Secretary. — The secretary kept the accounts 

 and looked after the supplies and books. 



Duties of the Members. — 1. They must deliver all eggs not 

 used for home consumption or breeding purposes. All eggs 

 must be unbroken, clean, fresh, of good size and not more than 

 one week old. 



2. Before being delivered all eggs must be stamped on 

 the broad end with the stamp supplied by the association. 



3. Only false eggs of gypsum, china, etc., may be used as 

 nest eggs. 



4. Eggs must be gathered twice a day and kept in a cool 

 room, free from draught, dampness or any foul odors and in a 

 temperature not exceeding 60 degrees nor lower than 45 degrees. 



Results of the Egg Circles. — From the original egg circle 

 eight more have been started and are in successful operation 

 in Ontario county, with a membership of well over 500 farmers. 



The premium received by the members has averaged from 

 three to five cents in the spring and summer to as high as fif- 

 teen cents in the winter months. This premium has averaged 

 about twenty per cent above the prices realized by nonmembers. 



The winter egg production in the county has increased by 

 over twenty per cent through the greater interest in poultry 

 now taken. 



Demonstration poultry houses have been established in 

 the county and thus a bred-to-lay strain of fowls has been 

 disseminated and the proper care and management of poultry 

 has been fostered. 



Difficulties Encountered. — Many difficulties were met with 

 and much tact and patience were required. 



It was found that the employment of the proper man for 

 manager virtually spelled the success or failure of the circle. 

 The manager must be honest and energetic and one possessed 

 with tact. 



It is extremely hard to hold the members in line during 

 the spring months when everybody's eggs are good and prices 

 are more nearly uniform. Then the dealers would entice the 

 members away and much trouble thus be given. 



Again, the adoption of stringent rules is not to be recom- 

 mended. The expulsion of a member for an infraction of a 



