Oct., 1937] Eggs Under the Hammer 35 



The percentage grading Specials ranged from 86 per cent in June to 

 90.1 per cent in October. The tolerance allows up to 20 per cent of 

 Extras in cases of New Hampshire Specials. Where cases run over 20 

 yiev cent Extras they are sometimes sold with a statement of the per- 

 centage of Specials as — Xew Hampshire Extras (75 per cent Specials). 

 This indicates that though sold as second grade or Extras they contain 

 a high percentage of Specials. 



(See Table A2, Appendix.) 



Fewest Meat and Blood Spots in March 



An analysis of all individual candling records covering cases of Large 

 Brown Specials and Extras for the 1934-1935 year indicated fewest meat 

 and blood spots in March (.22 of 1 per cent) and the greatest number 

 in August (.85 of 1 per cent). 



There were fewest undergrades in March (.29 of 1 per cent) and the 

 largest number in September (.74 of 1 per cent). 



More bad eggs were found in June (.1 of 1 per cent) than any other 

 month, and fewer in January (.02 of 1 i^or cent). (See Table A2, 

 Appendix.) 



August High Month for Cracked Eggs 



An analysis of all records for individual producers indicates that the 

 niunber of cracke,d and dented eggs per case found in cases of Large 

 Brown Specials and Extras ranged from .3 egg in December to 1.7 eggs 

 in June. 



The number of leakers per case ranged from .1 in January to .5 in 

 July and August. (See Table i\.2, Appendix). 



The number of cracked and broken eggs is largest when the, average 

 size is greatest and decreases in the months when the average size is 

 small. 



The number of cracked eggs and leakers can be reduced by: 



1. Building up of cases when large sizes are shipped. 



2. Careful elimination of thin shelled eggs. 



3. Use of good flats and fillers. 



4. Use of double flats or pads at top and bottom of cases. 



GRADES OF EGGS AS RELATED TO PRICES 

 Prices for Specials, Large, Reach Peak in October 



Prices on eggs usually start rising in June, often hold steady in Aug- 

 ust and September and reach a peak in October or early November. 

 A sharp break usually occurs the latter part of November and early 

 December. 



The greatest disparity between Auction prices and the Boston whole- 

 sale quotations has occurred during this rise, and auction prices of 

 Specials, Large, have sometimes averaged as much as 4 — 6 cents over 

 the Boston wholesale quotations. In the sharp break in December and 

 in the spring, auction prices sometimes average under quotations. 



(See Fig. 6 for auction prices, Boston wholesale quotations and vol- 

 ume of Specials, Large Brown in 1936). 



