424 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



trade that there is still a large quantity of both the ' Armadale ' 

 and ' Walmer ' shipments on hand, and sellers are asking 40s. per 

 great hundred, but it is doubtful whether this price will be secured, 

 and it might be possible that, in order to effect sales, a figure round 

 about 38s. will liave to be accepted. The high price of 46s. was only 

 obtained for a small proportion of the " Keuilworth Castle " ship- 

 ment, which reached the market at a time Mhen prices for all eggs 

 were ruling exceedingly high. Latterly, with the large supplies of 

 Roumanian, Argentine, Canadian, and American eggs arriving, prices 

 have naturally declined, but the trade opinion is that they will not 

 go lower than about 38s. per great hundred." 



From Trade Commissioner (2nd December, 1920) : — " The demand 

 for South African eggs has been somewhat quiet of late, and this 

 is attributed to the condition of the eggs on arrival, but for the finest 

 quality 42s. to 43s. per great hundred has been obtained, whilst good 

 quality and common have made 40s. to 41s. and 37s. to 38s. 

 respectively." 



A prominent firm of dealers made a general report as follows: — 



" We have found shippers to be very misleading in their descrip- 

 tions, as from time to time we receive communications from them 

 stating that such and such consignments are absolutely new-laid, 

 whereas, when we examine them on receipt, we find them to be quite the 

 reverse. This question of storing eggs is a matter wliich is likely to have 

 quite a serious effect on the South African trade. One of ihe greatest 

 assets of the colony, regarding eggs, is that they are able to export 

 considerable quantities of fresh eggs when this class of e^^ is scarce 

 in other countries of production; but, if shippers go in for storing 

 eggs themselves, the value of their produce must be judged in com- 

 parison with other stored eggs, as, for example, Canadian, States, 

 and Irish." 



A special small consignment of 50 cases of eggs by the s.s. 

 "Armadale Castle" was reported to have arrived in splendid condi- 

 tion The eggs were large and well selected and quite full, showing 

 that they were new laid. The cases were very clean, and altogethei- 

 l)resented a very nice appearance. If South Africa continues to shi}) 

 eggs in this way, it is stated there is no doubt a large and profitable 

 trade will be built up. 



It is desired to direct the attention of shippers to the unfavourable 

 report concerning eggs tainted with orange^s, and also to the wani 

 of freshness found in many consignments. Careful inquiry has shown 

 that the eggs Avere not exposed to any fruit taint on board ship, and 

 the arrangements made by the Union-Castle Company were very 

 satisiactory. Neither were eggs and fruit stored in contact in the 

 general cold storages in Capetown. The injury appears to have been 

 due to the holding of eggs in proximity to fruit in the ordinary store 

 in the course of collection, and the greatest care is necessary to avoid 

 the handling of eggs under such conditions. The market reports 

 show clearly that the aim should be to build up an export trade in 

 fresh rather than in stored eggs, and shippers should not anticipate 

 forwarding eggs which have been in store for any considerable time. 

 If eggs of the latter grade are necessarily exported, they should be 

 plainly marked and sold as stored eggs. 



