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Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



the germs, hence eggs decay much faster in the summer. 

 Just how the germ makes its entrance through the shell 

 is not fully understood. Of the many kinds of egg-pre- 

 servatives, none are so satisfactory as sodium silicate, 

 commonly called "water-glass." The eggs may be packed 

 away in a solution of about one part of water-glass to 



Fig. 152. White Leghorns popular representatives of the egg-laying, 

 or Mediterranean class. 



twelve parts of clean boiled water and kept as long 

 as desired. A mixture of salty lime-water is often used. 

 In either case, the egg-shell should be punctured with 

 a needle before boiling to prevent the shells cracking 

 when placed in hot water. 



