804 READINGS IN RURAL ECONOMICS 



Storage eggs were then sold with difficulty at one-half the price 

 paid for fresh eggs. 



With modern methods and facilities for cold storage no apol- 

 ogy needs to be made for the condition of the stored product. 

 The large amount put away during early spring is stored under 

 most favorable circumstances. The hen is usually in good phys- 

 ical condition and the eggs are surrounded by favorable climatic 

 influences in the various movements from the nest to the storage 

 plant. The situation would be very different if storage were 

 attempted to any considerable extent during the summer months. 

 The hens are then often in a semi-feverish condition and are 

 disposed to set. The eggs are exposed to excessive heat at every 

 stage of their movement to market. Presented in this condition 

 for cold storage, the eggs have already undergone some change 

 and cannot be stored as safely for any great length of time. 

 The result is that when summer eggs are placed in storage they 

 are usually taken out again in the early fall, whereas spring eggs 

 are kept for later fall and winter trade. 



What has been stated thus far in regard to the merits of cold 

 storage is not to be construed as a defense of those practices 

 which aim to secure a control of supply. Wherever the avenues 

 of distribution for any product are brought together into a few 

 channels, attempts are apt to be made to dam up the supply, and 

 to the extent that egg-storage is left to a few large firms such a 

 situation may be developed. As a rule, however, attempts to 

 "corner" a market do not succeed. While it is true that suc- 

 cessful corners have been created in rare instances for brief 

 periods, it is also true that the greatest attempts at corners in 

 modern times failed utterly and resulted in the financial ruin 

 of those who made the venture. To the extent that the rise of 

 cold storage invites attempts of this sort it presents the same 

 grave problems that have arisen in connection with the distribu- 

 tive machinery for wheat and cotton. How evils of this character 

 may best be minimized in the egg business presents a problem 

 regarding which there are wide differences of opinion. Some 

 would provide complete publicity from month to month regarding 

 the number of eggs taken in and out of storage. To this end, a 



