MARKETING EGGS FOR HUMAN FOOD 429 
season in the spring and lowest during the coldest winter months. 
Nothing will so soon disgust the purchaser of hatching eggs, or 
make him more quickly seck a new source of supply, than a low 
percentage of fertility; hence, the great effort made to secure 
the highest fertility. 
Value of Guarantee—When an order is taken for eggs, some 
definite guarantee is usually given with them, especially stating 
the breed and the degree of development toward a standard, as 
well as the percentage of fertility. If the breeder wishes to satisfy 
his customer and to retain his trade in future years, this guaran- 
tee must be given in good faith. Asa rule, a fertility of at least 
eighty per cent is guaranteed, as well as the replacing of all 
eggs below this percentage which prove to be deficient. When 
eggs from advertised show matings are sold, the resulting progeny 
are expected to show, and should show, the desired characteristics. 
When, on the other hand, the sale is advertised as being from 
utility matings, the purchaser will not, and can not, expect exhibi- 
tion progeny. The keeping of a guarantee means the satisfaction 
of customers, and this is the best possible kind of advertising. 
MARKETING EGGS FOR HUMAN FOOD. 
The great mass of eggs produced on the majority of farms, as 
well as the surplus supply from fancy plants, is used at home or 
sold for food. The principles and methods of marketing are of 
practical importance. The egg is the backbone of commercial 
poultry craft, and the production of meat secondary. 
Prices and their Variation—The price of eggs for food is 
governed by fluctuations in demand and supply, especially the 
latter. There is always a brisk call for strictly fresh eggs, but 
the variations noted are due largely to the effect. on supply caused 
by changes of season. Prices for poultry products in general, and 
especially eggs, are peculiar, in that they differ but slightly in 
the same season year after year. 
The diagram (Fig. 194) shows the range in prices of eggs in 
a period of twenty-five years. The heavy line represents changes 
in temperature. It will be seen that eggs bring the highest prices 
each year during January, November, and December, and the 
lowest price during May. The same is true of the various classes 
of meat; and if the poultryman aims at big profits from his pro- 
duction, he must market it at that season when the price is sure 
