42 "A LITTLE JOURNEY 



Seconds The term "seconds" applies to eggs which can be no longer 

 accepted as "firsts". There are several classes of such eggs: 



(a) Heated Eggs One in which the embryo has preceded to a point 

 corresponding to about 18 to 24 hours of normal incubation. When held 

 before the candle, the yolk of such an egg will appear heavy and quite dark 

 in color. 



(b) Small Egg Even though it be newly-laid, and unusually small 

 egg will be classed as a "second". 



(c) Dirty Egg Eggs that have been soiled with earth, droppings, or 

 stained with wet straw, are also classed as "seconds". 



(d) Presence of Foreign Matter in Eggs Often eggs are laid which 

 show small clots of blood about the size of a pea. 



(e) Misshaped Eggs Eggs that are long or flat, or otherwise deformed, 

 must also go as "seconds". 



(f) Blood Rings Eggs in which the embryo has developed to a suffi- 

 cient extent to be recognizable when held before the candle. 



(g) Rots Eggs which are absolutely unfit for human food. 



One more thing. Most markets in the United States prefer the white 



egg, and will pay a higher price for first-class eggs of this color. It is an 



entirely desirable thing to own a flock that lays plenty of nice large white 



eggs from the standpoint of marketing them profitably, if for no other 

 reason. 



Wte 



