EGGS 133 



of these testers and test all their eggs before sending 

 them to market. 



Eggs differ considerably in size, shape, and color. 

 When eggs are packed for market, either in dozen car- 

 tons or in egg cases of large size, those of one size 

 and one color should be packed by themselves. The 

 standard size for market eggs is 24 oz. per doz., each 

 egg averaging 2 oz. Eggs smaller than this are under 

 size; those that are larger are over size. Over-sized 

 eggs all of one color packed in clear cases will bring 

 the highest prices in the markets. Eggs that vary in 

 size, shape, and color, even though perfectly fresh, sell 

 for lower prices. It is not unusual to see fresh-laid 

 eggs all of one size, shape, and color selling for 25 to 40 

 per cent, higher than eggs equally fresh, but of miscel- 

 laneous sizes, shapes, and colors. 



Eggs selected for hatching should be the finest obtain- 

 able. Never hatch an egg that is small in size or 

 inferior in shape and color. If this rule is closely 

 adhered to for a few years, the egg product of a poultry 

 farm will almost double in value. The same rigid selec- 

 tion and grading should be followed and continued year 

 after year, for both hatching and selling, until no poor 

 eggs, or at least very few, are produced. 



The shells of all eggs should be smooth and free from, 

 indentations and unevenness. The surface of the shell 

 should be finished and have a polished appearance. If 

 the shells are white, they should be perfectly white and 

 free from any tint or shade whatever; if brown or 

 tinted, they should have an even shade of color. When 

 the shells are irregular in form or color they are classed 

 as seconds, thirds, or miscellaneous in quality. No 

 eggs of this kind should ever be found in the first 

 selection, because they will lessen the value of the 

 entire lot. 



Not all of the fowls of any one breed lay eggs of 

 proper size, shape, and color, but some hens of all breeds 

 and varieties lay such eggs. By p'roper selection of eggs 

 for hatching, all breeds and varieties might within 10 or 



