172 Cooperation in Agriculture 



"The farmer takes these cartons home, and as the eggs 

 are gathered each day, the clean, good-sized eggs are 

 stamped and placed in them. When a carton is filled, it 

 is stamped on its upper side just the same as the eggs. 



"When the farmer comes into the creamery with his 

 milk or cream, he brings along as many cartons or dozens 

 of eggs as he has. The man in charge of the creamery 

 takes these eggs, examines the packages, and gives the 

 farmer a check for the eggs delivered that day. The car- 

 tons are then packed in substantial returnable 30-dozen 

 egg cases and shipped to market by express. The ship- 

 ping charges are paid by the consignee. The labor and 

 cost of handling the eggs at the creamery are thus re- 

 duced to a minimum. The eggs are never candled, 

 reliance being placed on the farmer to bring in good eggs. 

 The cost of handling the eggs, including the cost of the 

 carton, which is about one-half cent, is estimated to be 

 1 cent a dozen. The farmer in turn feels bound to be partic- 

 ular, knowing that any carelessness can be traced back 

 to him and realizing that he thus jeopardizes his chances 

 of continuing to dispose of his eggs in this manner. This 

 he cannot well afford to do, as will be shown later by a 

 comparison of the prices received for eggs marketed 

 through the creamery and through the general store. 



"In this particular case the creamery happens to be 

 located within easy shipping distance of Duluth, Minn., 

 and this city was chosen as a market for the eggs. One 

 of the best grocery stores was already handling butter 

 made by the creamery and was in consequence glad to 

 take the eggs. The eggs, therefore, pass through only 

 one dealer between the creamery and the consumer. 



