IOMakch, 1919.] Marketing Eggs. 181 



back at the top aud on to the front 3 inches fi'om the top; then nail 

 on the two pieces of 1-ft. 10-in., allowing 6 inches to project in front 

 to carry the step (Fig. III.). Then nail on the five pieces of 

 1-ft. l^-in. at equal distances, as shown in Fig. III., A, B, C. D. E. 

 To these pieces the kerosene tin.s, which will form the nests, will be 

 nailed. Cut kerosene tins along dotted lines (Fig. IV.). Remove the 

 small piece at the end dotted round, and cut down 2 inches on each 

 side where indicated by dotted lines. Then cut right down dotted line 

 along top and bend upwards; fit tins into^frame and tack sides on to 

 A, B, C, D, E, Fig. III. The piece of tin which has been cut down 

 2 inches in the front should be bent over the piece of timber marked 

 X in Fig. III. and tacked down. Fix on trap-nest fronts with hinge.3. 

 Then take six pieces of 4-in. x ^-in. rough lining 5 ft. 3 in. long and 

 nail together with the three pieces of 2-in. x 1-in. 1 ft. 11 in. long; nail 

 this on to nest. frame, and cover with ruberoid or other wateTjJroof 

 covering; this roof overlapping gives protection from the weather. The 

 remaining piece of 5-ft. 3-in. lining is for the step. 



MARKETING EGGS. 



A. V. D. Rintoul, Assistant Poultry Expert. 



The mid-February prices for eggs, fixed by the selling agencies in 

 Melbourne, were from lOd. per dozen " ordinary " lots, up to Is. 3d. for 

 suburban new laid, the market report being as follows : — 



Eggs. — Guaranteed lines of lien eggs are in keen demand and light supply. 

 Ordinary lots are offered freely, and meet with a poor reception. Ordinary are 

 quoted at lOd. to lid., private lots Is. to Is. Id., and new-laid Is. 2d. to Ig. 3d. 

 Duck eggs are worth from lOd. to Is. Id., according to quality. — (Argus, 14th 

 February, 1919.) 



It will be seen from the above that whereas there is a short supply and a 

 keen demand for eggs — fit to eat — at Is. 3d., w^hat are termed " ordinary 

 lots " only met " with a poor reception," and were " offered freely " 

 at lOd. 



The " ordinary " egg, therefore, as at present consigned to Mel- 

 bourne is not in its best condition, and some explanation of the circum- 

 stances and suggestions for remedy are obviously necessary. 



At the present prices of feed-stuffs, lOd. per dozen is not sufficient 

 to pay for the food consumed by all the birds on the farm, and, therefore^ 

 allows no margin at all for other expenses, or profit. Whilst the .sub- 

 urban poultry-farmers have their own negligenee to thank for the barely 

 payable price of Is. 3d. (they could quickly remedy the present " market "~ 

 if they took the obvious course), the up-country farmers are actually^ 

 losing money. 



