DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN THE EGG TRADE. 



Candling. The process of testing eggs by passing light through them so as 

 to reveal the condition of the contents. 



Checks. Eggs which are cracked but not leaking. 



Leakers. Cracked eggs which have lost a part of their contents. 



Dirties. Eggs soiled with earth, droppings, or the contents of broken eggs. 



Blood rings. Eggs in which blood has developed, extending to the period 

 when the chick becomes visible. 



Floats, light. Eggs in which embryo development has proceeded to a point 

 corresponding to about 18 to 24 hours of normal incubation ; they are not readily 

 detected by the casual observer, even when broken. 



Floats, heary. Eggs in which the development has proceeded further than 

 is the case with the light floats. When broken, the yolk has a white and 

 scummy appearance. 



Rots. A term used in the egg trade to designate eggs absolutely unfit for 

 food purposes. 



Spots. Eggs in which bacteria or mold growth has developed locally aud 

 caused the formation of a lumpy adhesion on the inside of the shell. 



Watery eggs. Those in which the inner membrane of the air cell is rup- 

 tured, allowing the air to escape into the contents of the eggs, and giving a 

 watery or frothy appearance. 



Weak eggs. Those in which by reason of unfavorable conditions or of age 

 the stiffness or viscosity of the egg white is lessened, producing an egg which 

 does not stand up well or whip into a firm froth. 



Case count. A term used in egg buying where eggs are accepted simply on 

 the basis of number without regard to quality. 



Los* off. A term used in egg buying where eggs are tested by candling before 

 being accepted. The bad eggs, usually the rots and broken eggs, are rejected 

 and no pay is received for them. 



Sceonds. A term often used when eggs are bought on a graded basis to 

 designate usually the second-best grade. 



Flats. The square of straw-board which is placed between layers of eggs in 

 the egg case. 



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