182 Journal of Agnculturc, Vidoria. [10 Makch, 11)19. 



In hot woathor, eggs slioiild bo collected twice a day, and kept in a 

 cool place until marketed, which should take place twice a week. At 

 present many are satisfied to gather them occasionally, not always 

 troubling to even hand them over to the storekeeper each time his cart 

 calls. He, in his turn, does not bustle himself to hurry the eggs off to 

 the market, but allows them to accumulate till he has a consignment 

 '' wiu'tli while " sending to town. As a result, these country eggs arrive 

 in Melbourne often two to three weeks old, and at times are dear enough 

 even at the miserable price they bring. 



It is occasionally stated Avith pride that the poultry industry of 

 Victoria is worth over £2,000,000 a year to the State. Seeing that there 

 are 4,000,000 birds in the State, it should be a source of shame to admit 

 that, in spite of the various world's records that are put up by Vic- 

 torian birds, the average production is only 10s. a bird. Proper care in 

 marketing and a radical alteration of the present " market " should 

 mean 50 per cent, better returns — another £1,000,000 to the State. 

 For the benefit of the country districts, the following recommendations 

 are made: — 



Eggs should be marketed unfertile. Roosters are only useful to 

 fertilizs eggs for hatching, they do not increase egg-production, and 

 should be removed immediately after the breeding season. 



An abundance of clear, cool drinking Avater should be available for 

 the layers — the egg is two-thirds water, therefore a supply of water is 

 essential. Where water is scarce, renew the supply, hoAvevcr small, 

 several times a day in warm weather. 



The water should always be kept in the shade. 



Water too dirty for the birds will still help to grow a little green 

 feed. 



ISTests should always be kept clean, for if the\' are dirty and ver- 

 minous the birds will lay elsewhere, and some eggs are sure to be lost. 



Collect eggs twice a day in the warm weather. 



Store the eggs in a cool place prior to despatch. 



Pack eggs for market in odourless cardboard fillers. Musty chaff 

 does not improve the flavour, so add only clean fresh chaff. 



Always market twice a week. 



Keep the small eggs foi domestic consumption; evenly-graded eggs 

 always command the best price. 



Get the cases to the station half-an-hour before the train is duo to 

 start, otherwise they may be too late, and miss the market. 



A satisfied customer is the best advertisement. 



