104 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



practice was not common. The production of eggs appeared tiie 

 chief aim of every farmer, and very close inquiry seemed to prove 

 that the general annual profit was 28. 6d. to 3s. on each hen. 

 A very careful record of the number of eggs sold, and of the food 

 bought, seemed to be kept, and an example of a balance sheet 

 produced at a farm where our visit was quite unexpected may 

 here be given : — 



The system of collecting and marketing eggs has now been brought 

 through co-operation to a fine science. Copenhagen is the head- 

 quarters of the Danish Co-operative Egg Export Association, with 

 which are associated other eight similar though smaller branches. 

 The membership is now 33,000, and these are divided into 500 

 local societies. Each society has its own bye-laws, but these are 

 in general conformity with the rules of the Central Association. 

 The principal object of the Association is to build up the most 

 profitable trade for Danish eggs in foreign countries. Each local 

 society employs a collector to collect the eggs from the farmers 

 within its circle at least once a week. The eggs must be perfectly 

 clean, and no washing is allowed, as washed eggs do not keep so 

 well. The collector weighs the eggs, which nuist have the farmer's 

 number stamped on them, payment being made by weight 

 irrespective of size or number. The eggs are also stamped with 

 the number of the collecting society, and from it are forwarded in 

 wooden boxes with cardboard subdivisions for each egg to one of 

 the central shipping stations. Here the process of grading, testing, 

 and packing for export is done. The grading and testing are 

 effected by women, who become expert at judging the different 

 sizes, and placing them according to their sizes into perforated 

 trays holding 120 each. These trays are then taken to a dark 

 chamber and passed over a very strong electric light. Each egg is 

 examined, and any the least stale or old are instantly detected and 

 put aside. Any farmer sending in bad eggs is first fined, then 

 struck off the list of members if the practice is continued. After 

 testing, the eggs are stamped with the private mark of the 

 Association, and then packed in long flat boxes with a layer of 

 wood wool or straight rye straw between each layer of eggs, and 

 without any wrapping round the egg. In each box is put a 

 printed guarantee that the eggs are new-laid when packed, and 

 that they have been forwarded by first boat afterwards. Any 

 complaint can easily be traced direct to the seller by means of the 



