200 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



usual run of " rots " is from lo to 20 per cent, 

 though some buyers who have a superior trade 

 report 5 per cent, and others who have an in- 

 ferior trade, 75 per cent loss, due to spoiled eggs. 

 During the period when buyers purchase in the 

 case-count way, 57 buyers reported a loss of from 

 one to three dozen to the case, and only seven men 

 reported a smaller loss. The average is at least 

 two dozen to a case for the year round. 



Of the more than 70 buyers 69 say that they 

 could afford to pay a higher price if they did not 

 have to allow for these losses, and not one of them 

 says he could not afford to pay a higher price. The 

 advance in price ranges from i to 5 cents and aver- 

 ages 2 cents. Sixty-eight men say that the usual 

 run of eggs they buy is of only fair quality, and 37 

 report that the cause of spoiled eggs is due to the 

 farmers not giving the eggs proper care. Thirty- 

 three say that both farmers and storekeepers are 

 to blame because they hold for higher prices. 



Twenty-three buyers declare that they could 

 afford to buy loss off the year round, but 40 claim 

 they could not. The ayes say that it would be jus- 

 tice to all, that they would get a better grade of 

 eggs and the farmers would get more money. The 

 nays say that competition prevents, that the eggs 

 are good enough in winter, that they have no mar- 

 ket for seconds, that the farmers are dissatisfied 

 and that hot weather prevents. Sixty-three buyers 

 say that if a farmer or a community of farmers 

 j would follow instructions as to the kind of eggs 

 best to sell and would ship only first-class eggs, 

 they could afford to pay a premium upon the eggs 

 above the regular price. Only five buyers claim 



