MARKETING EGGS FOR HUMAN FOOD 



431 



get a very accurate idea of the ratio between immediate supply 

 and existing demand. The prices which prevail at these sales 

 are accepted by the dealers as a guide for that day. The dealers 

 hold that some such basis as this is absolutely necessary. They 

 say that, without some fixed standard, speculation would be 

 heavily indulged in, and the handling and storage of eggs would 

 be essentially a gamble. 



FIG. 195. Interior view of the Mercantile Exchange, New York City. 



The storage of eggs in the mammoth cold-storage houses in 

 large cities has become a controlling factor in fixing the price 

 of poultry products. Eggs are bought in the Western States 

 during the early spring when the supply is abundant and the 

 prices low. They are perfectly stored at a temperature of about 

 30 degrees for several months. This wholesale buying in the 

 flush of the season tends largely to keep the price from going any 

 lower. In the late fall and winter, when fresh eggs become scarce, 

 storage supplies are drawn upon to furnish eggs which, although 

 not fresh, serve the purpose fairly well, and place this fine food 

 product within the reach of almost everybody. 



