320 Farm Poultry 



recognizes that a few large apples when mixed with 

 those of medium size do positive injury, so far as 

 the market value is concerned, so expert egg pro- 

 ducers recognize that a few large eggs mixed with 

 those of average size detract from the appearance, 

 and, consequently, from the market value. The 

 purchaser is attracted by uniformity. If he sees that 

 all the eggs on top of the crate are of uniform size, 

 color, and shape, he naturally expects uniformity 

 throughout. On the other hand, if he finds that 

 they are of all -sizes, he cannot expect uniformity 

 in the lower layers. If one's flock consists of pure- 

 bred stock, the eggs should be fairly uniform in 

 shape and color, and also in size, although large 

 eggs and abnormally small ones will occasionally 

 appear; these may be kept for home consumption 

 or for the local market. 



Much has been said about marketing eggs in 

 a strictly fresh condition. Those who have had 

 years of experience, and have established a repu- 

 tation that has become almost national, are con- 

 vinced that the market will not distinguish between 

 an egg one day old and one four days old. An 

 egg four or five days old is in a perfectly fresh condi- 

 tion, if it has had good treatment. If it has been 

 subjected to the heat of an incubator for that length 

 of time, it would not be fresh. Eggs may be sent to 

 market hundreds of miles by express and placed 

 in the hands of the consumer when not more than 



