MARKETING EGGS FOR HUMAN FOOD 435 
greatest difference was apparent; at that time assorted eggs by 
the case, guaranteed, brought the following prices in the open 
market: Whites, 34 cents; browns, 30 cents; mixed brown and 
white, 27 cents. The average increase in the selling price of the 
white eggs over the mixed ones was three and one-quarter cents 
per dozen. 
If the eggs are cleaned and graded, the work must be done— 
and the crating and packing as well—at a regular time, and 
always with the same care. 
Care in Packing.—The regulation egg case of thirty-dozen 
capacity is the most economical shipping case for a wholesale 
trade; but it should be substantially made. If used the second 
time, it should be renailed before filling, and all old, broken, or 
flimsy containers replaced by new ones. In packing, a layer of 
straw or excelsior on the bottom of the case will break the jar by 
permitting a certain springiness. The eggs should be placed in 
the fillers small end down, no large eggs being packed, as they are 
likely to be broken and spoil the appearance and quality of others. 
After all are in, a thin layer of hay or straw should be spread 
over the top under the lid. The lid should be nailed securely at 
each end, but not in the middle; this leaves room for spring, and 
often prevents the breaking of many eggs. 
When shipping to a limited trade or to private customers, it 
may be well to use the standard fifteen-dozen case instead of. the 
thirty-dozen. Corrugated pasteboard boxes varying in capacity 
from one to five dozen, if properly packed, are very satisfactory. 
Light weight and durability are two important requisites in an 
egg container. For high-class wholesale or fancy trade, the one- 
dozen cartons are the most profitable for home grading, and they 
are a guarantee of the product. The 2 x 6 cartons (Fig. 197) are 
the best, being designed to fit the regulation thirty-dozen case. 
When they are used, it is better to ship in a reinforced case, which 
can be utilized indefinitely for shipping, being returned to the 
shipper empty after each trip. Such a case can be locked, and 
the product will reach the consumer untampered with; hence the 
guarantee is protected. 
In using the cartons, the guarantee can be printed upon 
them, together with the name of the farm (Fig. 197) and the 
producer. Eggs guaranteed in this way should be sealed to guard 
against any fraudulent subsequent use of the carton for inferior 
eggs; for, in any case, if the seal is broken the guarantee is void. 
