320 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



Bran and Salt. Packing in bran has been found to be a satisfactory 

 method of preserving eggs in many cases. They may also be preserved for 

 several months by packing them in dry salt. Have at least two inches above 

 the upper layer of eggs in either case. 



Grease and Paper. Eggs may be kept for some time by greasing them 

 and wrapping each one in paper. 



Rolled Oats. In cold countries like Alaska they preserve eggs by simply 

 packing them in rolled oats. 



Marketing. 



Selling Direct to the Consumer. If the farmer produces a high quality 

 of goods, puts them up in attractive style, and carefully works up a large 

 retail trade in a nearby town, he will find this method of disposing of his 

 goods the most profitable because he eliminates the charges of the middlemen. 

 To do this successfully, however, he must study his customers and learn their 

 tastes. In fact, he must be a salesman. The eggs should be carefully graded. 

 Many farmers who have worked up a good retail trade have found it advisable 

 to pack the eggs in paste-board egg boxes, holding one or two dozen as the 

 trade demands. This enables one to easily grade the eggs since he can quickly 

 pick out a dozen alike. This way a customer desiring eggs of a certain color 

 can be supplied. Keep them covered. It is also possible to secure customers 

 in a city within reasonable shipping distance, expressing them a certain 

 amount of eggs at regular intervals (once or twice a week). By furnishing 

 eggs of a superior quality and having them strictly fresh, the farmer can soon 

 secure a substantial increase over prices paid in the open market. Hotels, 

 clubs and restaurants are also good customers to supply. 



Selling Direct to Retailer. In selling direct to the grocery or provision 

 dealer, seek out the one who caters to a select trade. Sell your goods on a 

 quality basis and secure the top price. 



Selling to Commission Merchants. The returns by following this method 

 are usually not as great as the others but it is the simplest and does away 

 with the trouble 1 of handling the private trade. In selling to commission mer- 

 chants, try to deal with those who have developed a trade along a certain line 

 as they can pay the highest prices. 



Shipping by Parcel Post. The parcel post offers a means by which eggs 

 can be snipped direct from the farm to the consumer. It is rather new, but 

 is fast becoming popular. Eggs to be shipped by this method must be of a 

 first class quality and have the best of care. The postal requirements are 

 as follows: Eggs shall be accepted for local delivery when so packed in a 

 basket or other container as to prevent damage to other mail matter. This 

 embraces all collection and delivery service within the jurisdiction of the local 

 office. Eggs shall be accepted for mailing regardless of distance when each 

 egg is wrapped separately and surrounded with excelsior, cotton, or other 

 suitable materials and packed in a strong container made of double-faced 

 corrugated pasteboard, metal, wood or other suitable material and wrapped 



