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



breakage of eggs and that they mark the eggs. The manufacture of 

 heavier baskets and the use of inserts in such baskets have eliminated 

 some of this trouble. It is most important that the container should 

 permit circulation of air and rapid cooling of eggs. Even a wooden 

 bucket with holes bored in sides and bottom is better than a tight wood- 

 en or metal container. 



Placing the eggs in a wire-bottom tray immediately after collecting 

 would result in still more rapid cooling but would involve one additional 

 handling and possible additional soiling of the eggs. It is doubtful, 

 therefore, whether such practice is advisable except in very warm 

 weather or where the egg room is above 60° F. When shipments are 

 made twice a week and the egg room is 60° F. or lower, the wire collect- 

 ing baskets should prove a very satisfactory container for overnight 

 cooling. 



Most Producers Have Egg Scales ~ and Use Them 



Reports from a large number of auction members indicate that: 

 26% weigh all eggs 

 30% weigh most of the eggs 

 40% weigh part of the eggs 

 4% weigh few or no eggs 



Almost every producer has an egg scale or a grading machine or both. 

 Those who have a grading machine weigh most or all of their eggs. 

 Those who have only a scale, check doubtful weights of eggs. A few, 

 who are in most cases small producers, weigh every egg. 



It appears to the waiter that many producers waste considerable time 

 in weighing. With the possible exception of a few months in the late 

 summer or fall it should not be necessary to weigh the majority of eggs. 

 A tolerance allowing two eggs per dozen of the next size is allowed 

 under the New Hampshire Fresh Egg Law. The New Hampshire Egg 

 Auction, however, allows but 10 underweight eggs per case. These tol- 

 erances are established to take care of normal errors in grading. 



While it may pay to weigh a considerable number of eggs when the 

 price differential between sizes is large, it is doubtful whether it does 

 pay in months when there is little price difference. Producers should 

 check themselves on the time they are spending in weighing eggs and 

 determine whether they may not use some of this time to better advan- 

 tage. Large producers may find it desirable to use an egg grading ma- 

 chine although some study should be given possible savings in advance. 



Producers Candle Few Eggs 



About 88 per cent of the producers candle none of the eggs sent in for 

 auction sale. Of the remaining 12 per cent about half candle some 

 eggs, and the others candle all the eggs. 



It appears that in the majority of cases the candling of eggs by pro- 

 ducers shipping to either the auction or wholesale markets is of doubt- 

 ful value. They will be candled anyway and this seems a duplication 



of effort. 



It seems desirable, however, for producers to have a candler and to 

 check on egg quality from time to time. If eggs were running low m 



