748 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



tray is covered with wire clotli no. 25 gauge, about 12 meshes to the inch, 

 stretched tightly to prevent sagging and consequent uneven distribution of the 

 drip water. A narrow binding of cloth is tacked around the bottom of each 

 tray to prevent the wire edge from catching on the mosquito net covering of 

 the tray beneath. On the inside ends of the trays are fastened short lifting 

 cleats, and wedges hold the trays securely in place. The bottom tray rests on 

 three X"i"ch cleats extending lengthwise of the case, one at either side and the 

 other in the middle. It is important to have the trays of uniform size, that 

 they may be interchangeable. 



The trays and interior of the case are coated with asphaltum. To facili- 

 tate opening from either side, four hasps are used, two on each side of the case. 

 Two rope handles side by side are placed on each end of the case, with a cleat 

 of three-fourth inch material just al)ovc the holes for each handle. 



I'iG. 10. — Argentine shipping case. Section. 



Eggs selected for shipping should barely show the eye spots without the 

 aid of a glass. In packing, a layer of damp moss is spread one-fourth of an 

 inch deep as evenly as possible over the tray bottom, and upon this is placed 

 a covering of mosquito net or bobbinet. The eggs are laid upon the netting 

 one or two layers deep, spread to within one-half inch of the tray frame and 

 covered with another piece of netting to keep them separate from the moss, 

 which is sprinkled in a light layer over it, filling the tray. The netting is cut 

 large enough to extend over the outer edges of the tray, so that the eggs may 

 not be disturbed when a tray is lifted for examination. 



On shipboard, as the greater part of the journey is made, the cases of eggs 

 are kept in one of the fruit or cold storage rooms having a temperature of about 

 38 ° F. To this room the attendant has access, and it is his duty daily to moisten 



