240 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



It is greatly to be deplored that such good wholesome food 

 as eggs and poultry of all kinds should be so scarce and ex- 

 pensive that they are reserved for the sick, the wealthy and for 

 special occasions only, instead of being within the reach of the 

 poor and those of moderate means. 



Scarcity of Meat. 



Each year meat of all kinds, except poultry, is becoming 

 scarcer and scarcer, and the price therefore higher and higher. 

 A careful study of the receipts at the Chicago stock yards can- 

 not fail to convince one that beef, pork and mutton will soon 

 be beyond the reach of the family of ordinary means, and the 

 worst feature about it is the fact that no relief is in sight. As 

 far as we are able to learn, no increased production of these 

 meats can be expected within the next few years, and the re- 

 cent tariff act has had no perceptible effect upon the price, at 

 least, to the consumer. We must, then, look more and more 

 to poultry products to make up this deficit in meat supply. 

 The large roaster plants and duck farms are doing a great deal 

 toward it now, and we hope to see very soon a decided impetus 

 to goose farming and turkey raising. 



The Egg-eating Habit. 



The extent to which the egg-eating habit has increased during 

 the last few years is very noticeable. A careful canvass will 

 show that many families are now having eggs for their break- 

 fast who, a few years ago, either did not care for them or felt 

 they were too expensive. Not only has their use increased in 

 the private family, but egg sandwiches and egg drinks are now 

 popular at restaurants and soda fountains. A man remarked in 

 my hearing not long ago that there is not a drug store in the 

 country, of any consequence, but what keeps a large dish of 

 fine fresh eggs on the counter. This was not the case a few 

 years ago. No doubt the high price of meat and our habits of 

 living in recent years have done much to bring this about. The 

 people of New England were the first to learn the true value of 

 eggs as a food, and many of them have commented, in talking 

 with me, on the fact that some people will quite willingly pay 



