Report of th^ Poultry Expert. 27l» 



Exporting and Storing Eggs. 



The British markets still offer |)ractically an unlimited demand for 

 eggs, but, owing to the requirements for local consumption, there was 

 no surphis for exportation this season beyond Inter- State and South 

 African consignments. The latter were, however, a failure, as the 

 bulk of the consignments were badly selected and packed, and also 

 sent as ordinary cargo, no cool storage being available. During the 

 past season 100,000 dozen eggs were put through the Government 

 Cool Stores, and with very satisfactory results. The eggs were placed 

 in the chamber when their market value was from 8d. to Is. per 

 dozen. The extreme scarcity of new laid eggs during the first four 

 months of this year caused an increased demand for the cold storage 

 stocks, and the satisfactory way in which these eggs turned out caused 

 keen competition and increased prices. A word of praise is due to 

 the chief engineer, Mr. Lennox, who kept the temperature correctly 

 during the eight months the eggs were in store, which materially 

 conduced to their success. 



The average price realised for the eggs put through cool storage 

 would be about Is. 4d. per dozen. This represents a commercial 

 value of ^6,66(5. Their value at the time they were put in was £4,166. 

 This, after deducting expenses of cool storage, Hd. per dozen for 

 six months, leaves an extra profit of £1^875 to the farmer and pro- 

 ducer. The success of keeping eggs by cool storage is now assured, 

 and this mitst undoubtedly be the means of creating an increased con- 

 sumption. At any time of the year the consumer can rely on getting an 

 article which for table purposes is quite equal to a new-laid egg as far 

 as freshness is concerned. The perfecting of this process must be 

 credited to the Department, for, although several outside firms during 

 the past ten years had given this system of keeping eggs a trial, 

 none of them were successful, and it was not until the Department 

 took it up that success was attained. During the past season a large 

 number of farmers and storekeepers took advantage of the induce- 

 ments offered by the Department, and, despite the unfavourable 

 season, the quantity of eggs stored was a considerable increase over 

 last year's total. 



There is one point which must be observed in storing eggs, and 

 that is the careful selection of perfectly fresh eggs for this purpose. 

 If stale eggs are put in, they cannot be expected to come out in good 

 condition, but, if fresh and sound, eggs will come out in exactly the 

 same condition as when they were placed in the store. Eggs should 

 also be perfectly clean, and should be gathered two or three times a 

 day if required. They should not be washed unless they really need 

 it. The provision of clean and suitable nests will be the best method 

 of saving their washing. Since the Department instituted demon- 

 strations at shows throughout the country districts, it is i)leasing to 

 note that there has been a great improvement in the cleanliness and 

 packing of eggs sent in to market. In the past, musty chaff, red 

 sawdust, and bad packing, together with the use of dirty and unsuitable 

 boxes, could often be noticed, but these faults have now almost 



