174 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



regular and prompt and all the dealings fair and square 

 in every respect. 



The fresh eggs should be sorted so as to secure uni- 

 formity in filling each order as to color of .shell, size and 

 shape of eggs. There should be rejection of such as are 

 of very large or very small size, irregular shape, imper- 

 fect shell and soiled or stained appearance. iSlight soiMng 

 may be removed by a dampened cloth, when the egg is 

 quickly wiped dry. If eggs become so dirty as to require 

 washing the conditions of the laying house need correc- 

 tion. Buyers of eggs for cold storage houses reject eggs 

 that have been washed' as they consider the keeping 

 qualities of the eggs to be injured by wetting the shells. 



Eggs for a fancy trade, such as soda fountains, or 

 very particular customers are sometimes stamped with 

 the date of laying. A rubber stencil stamp answers this 

 purpose nicely. The name of the poultry plant or its 

 owner may be added if so desired. 



Eggs may be attractively put up if placed in paste- 

 board cartons. These little boxes have partitions, or 

 "fillers," so that each egg is in a compartment by itself 

 and may be transported in safety. The cartons, each 

 holding one dozen eggs, may be packed in a crate for 

 shipment. 



Both cartons and crates are now manufactured in 

 large quantities and sold very cheaply. Crates may be 

 made for holding both eggs and chickens dressed for 

 family supply and shipped to retail customers by express. 



There should be in America, as in most progressive 

 countries, a parcel post by which packages of this kind 

 could be sent anywhere and quickly delivered at slight 

 expense. 



The cartons and crates may be marked in neat, clear 

 letters with the name of the poultry farm sending the 

 products and thus help to advertise the same. Chickens 

 for retail family supply may be dressed according to me 

 demand and each wrapped in white parchment or par- 

 affined paper. The orders for both eggs and chickens 

 may usually be filled once, or at most, twice a week In 



