The African Tr((d<- in Eggs. 373 



with straw padding, about 2 inches thick. The eggs are packed in 

 rice husk, and carry exceedingl}^ well, the breakage being very small. 

 They would even carry better were the cases only lialf the size, as 

 they would be easier handled. So far as freshness is concerned, these 

 eggs give every satisfaction, and this is attributed to the tact of their 

 being carried in a cool chamber at a temjierature of ajjout 40 degrees. 



Irish Euus. 



These have recently been arriving in the market in considerable 

 quantities, and they are well regarded being of good size — decidedly 

 bigger than those from Madeira. They are jmcked in light, but 

 strong cases, made of j^-inch boards, and containing 30 dozen each. 

 The cases are divided into two compartments by a board of the same 

 thickness as the case. The eggs are packed in cardboard trays of 

 thirty-six spaces each, with five trays in each c(jm[)artment, the thin 

 end of egg downwards, and filled with chopped hay ; each tray is 

 covered with a layer of the same packing, and that is covered 

 with a sheet of cardboard. I saw a shipment packed in this way 

 opened, and they turned out very satisfactorily, the few breakages 

 there were being due to the insufHciency and unsuitability of the 

 packing. The top tray had got on to the eggs in the one unclerneath, 

 and chipped a few. This is an excellent method of packing, and were 

 ample I'ice, or otlier fine husk used, it would be hard to beat. These 

 eggs, like the English ones referred to, were carried at a temperature 

 of aliout 40 degrees. 



AUSTKALIAN EgGS. 



So far as Australian eggs are concerned, my enquiries elicit the 

 information that the past experience of those who have tried small 

 shipments is so unsatisfactory as to com|)letely annihilate all desire to 

 continue their importation. For this determination two strong 

 reasons are given : — 



(«) Our defective method of packing. 



ih) The faulty conditions under which they are carried. 



The one by its crudeness causes a high pei-centage of breakage, 

 and the other is more calculated to induce decay than to promote 

 preservation. The ill effects of the two together make success 

 impossible. 



The bulk of the eggs received from Australia have been packed in 

 casks containing 1,000 each. This is not a suitable package for the 

 carriage of eggs. It is tof) heavy, and difficult to handle properly. 

 Its rotundity provides the Kaffir with an easy way of shifting it, 

 which, whilst saving his muscle, is not good for the eggs. The 

 packing used has in most cases been bran, and this is unanimously 

 condemned. The moisture it contains generates heat with the 

 inevitable result of desti'oying the eggs. The same objection has 

 been advanced against straw jiacking. Several lots of Australian 

 eggs have been shipped to this market in cases, and packed in salt ; 

 but that method was no more successful than the bran packing. The 



