256 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 1908. 



It naturally results that so large a table top when full of eggs 

 is very heavy. Consequently it is necessary that the construc- 

 tion of the base on which this top rests and turns should be 

 substantial. In the case of the machine here in use the base 

 is constructed of 2x4 timbers thoroughly braced as shown in 

 the figures and held together by bolts and draw plates. The 

 heavy construction of the base is apparent from the figures. 

 .The axle or pivot at each end of the table top on which it actu- 

 ally turns is a short piece of r" iron pipe set in a broad flange 

 which is fastened to the center of the end of the table with 

 screws. The pipe sets in a deep rounded slot in the upright of 

 the base (cf., Fig. 6). 



It will be noted from the figures that there are light longi- 

 tudinal braces on either side of the egg distributing portions of 

 the table. These braces serve two purposes : One, to furnish 

 a support for the covers when they are lifted ; the other to brace 

 the upright pieces at the ends of the machine placed at right 

 angles to the table top proper. At one end of the table these 

 upright pieces and the boards forming the ends of the trays each 

 have a 1-2" hole bored through them. When in the proper 

 position these holes receive a locking pin working in the base 

 frame at the same end of the table. 



The manner in which the machine is used is as follows: The 

 eggs when brought from the breeding pens are sorted into the 

 machine according to the numbers of the hens at the ends of 

 the columns of compartments. These hen numbers are 

 arranged on the trays to correspond with the order of the breed- 

 ing pens in the poultry houses. After the eggs from the hens 

 belonging on one side of the machine have been distributed the 

 covers of that side are closed down and locked with the pin 

 locks shown in the figures and the whole table top is turned on 

 its longitudinal axis until the other side is brought uppermost. 

 Then the eggs are sorted into that side. Usually at one other 

 time during the day the whole table top is given either a half 

 turn or a quarter turn from its previous position and locked in 

 place. The appearance of the machine when it is given a 

 quarter turn from its usual position is shown in Figure 7. 



It will be seen that this table meets the requirements stated 

 at the beginning. It enables one to distribute the eggs with ease 



