Methods of Preserving Eggs 153 



The best keeping eggs are those where the males are having a vaca- 

 tion and the eggs themselves gathered twice a day out of strictly clean 

 nests. Such eggs will keep under ordinary care better than eggs given 

 the greatest care that are not gathered right. 



The Lime Water Brine Method. — This once was the method used 

 by bakers and restaurants before the storage egg became so popular. 

 Quick lime 16 ounces, table salt 8 ounces, and boiling water one gallon. 

 More can be made in same proportions. 



To make, pour the boiling water over the lime, stirring well to keep 

 from burning, add the salt, and stir until it quits boiling. Allow the 

 mixture to settle, which may take a day or two, then draw off the clear 

 solution and pour over the eggs packed in earthenware crocks. The 

 eggs must be well covered and weighted down or the top laj'er will 

 not be good. 



Other Methods. — In addition to these methods, eggs for family use 

 may be packed in salt and bran equal parts, the eggs being so packed 

 that no two touch. After one layer is complete put one inch of bran 

 and salt which must be fine, over the surface and commence another 

 layer. No expense attaches to this method as most families have on 

 hand a clean grocery box or two and some salt and bran. The point 

 to remember is to pack just far enough apart so that the mixture 

 touches the eggs all around. If the eggs are allowed to touch there 

 would be no preservative between. 



A little judgment must be used in all methods, for sometimes a 

 very little thing causes a failure. And it surely is handy to have the 

 eggs to fall back on at a time when the price is so good that we hate 

 to use the fresh laid article to make a cake that calls for half a dozen. 



Any one with a cool, dry cellar can pack away all the eggs needed 

 for family use in this simple way. Years ago I packed eggs in Dakota 

 in May and June and had eggs all winter while those farmers that did 

 not go to the trouble to pack eggs went without. 



