30 N. H. Agri. Experiment Station [Bui. 300 



Premiums for Heavy Cases of Large Eggs 



Premiums paid for heavy cases of Special Grade Large Brown eggs 

 were as follows: 



Premiums Paid in Cents per Dozen 



Largest size (63 lbs. and up) "Medium" size (60-62y2 lbs.) 



over over 



Smallest size (57-59% lbs.) Smallest size (57-59y2 lbs.) 



1934-1935 1.5 cents per doz. .8 cents per doz. 



1935-1936 1.8 cents per doz. .5 cents per doz. 



Although the heavier cases do bring more money on a dozen or case 

 basis, they bring less money on a pound basis. Premiums for the 

 smaller size large eggs over the largest size large eggs are shown by 

 weight below: 



Premiums Paid in Cents per Pound 



Smallest size (57-59V2 lbs.) "Medium" size (60-62y2 lbs.) 



over over 



Largest size (63 lbs. and up) Largest size (63 lbs. and up) 



1934-1935 1.2 cents per lb. .8 cents per lb. 



1935-1936 1.3 cents per lb. .6 cents per lb. 



Actual vs. Theoretical Premiums on Largest Sizes 



The heaviest weights of large size eggs do bring more per case but not 

 as much per pound. The average monthly premium per case on the larg- 

 est size (63 pounds and up) was 44 cents a case over the smallest size 

 (57-59% pounds). Yet if the largest size had brought the same price 

 per pound it would have brought $1.06 per case premium. The actual 

 premium averaged only 41 per cent of this amount. 



From a practical standpoint it seems rather inconsistent for eggs 

 which weigh 25 ounces per dozen to sell for more per pound than either 

 27-ounce or 23-ounce .eggs. The eggs averaging 23 oz. per dozen must 

 be sold as medium size eggs, and the consumer expects to pay consider- 

 ably less for them at most periods in the year. But the 27-ounce eggs 

 are sold to the consumer in the same size group as the 25-ounce eggs, 

 and it is very doubtful whether consumers appreciate the differences in 

 value to the full extent. Two different motives may exist with con- 

 sumer purchases of eggs of different sizes, namely: (a) quantity for 

 the money; (b) purchase for specific uses. 



The best class of trade demands large size eggs and does pay more 

 per dozen for them. The fact that the general public does not pay as 

 much per pound may be partly due to lack of information as to compar- 

 ative values. 



There are very few of the two smaller sizes from January to May 

 inclusive, and so they are of little real interest. The differences be- 

 tween the large and smaller sizes in some months are so small as to 

 make any saving per pound unattractive when other factors are con- 

 sidered. Viewing values from a practical standpoint we may say that 

 the following sizes are the best buys as indicated: 



