EGGS OF VAEIOTJS KINDS AS POOD. 187 



man may not only live, but prosper exceedingly. But 

 the price of a new-laid egg runs up to 2d. and 2|-d. in 

 the metropolis, and even then they are often difficult to 

 obtain. High as this price is, it is not however so dear 

 as the price of eggs in the city of Lima, where they fetch 

 a dollar a dozen, or 4d. a-piece. 



The average wholesale price of eggs per great hundred 

 (120) in London was : — 



In 1873 and 1874 they were as high as 8s. 7d. 



The already large and increasing consumption of eggs 

 in England and France shows a growing appreciation of 

 this form of food compared with any other. 



Our consumption of foreign eggs is about thirty 

 per head annually. 



As a proof of the vast consumption of eggs in this 

 country we may refer to the annual reports of our hos- 

 pitals. In one of these it is stated that 800 dozen are 

 required and made use of in the year, and taking into 

 consideration the allowance of four eggs a day to some 

 of the pa,tients, the published statement does not cause 

 so great amazement as at first sight it creates. More- 

 over, it goes to prove how important a part is played by 

 our hens in keeping up or restoring strength in those 

 who are suffering through some of the many ills to 

 which flesh and bone is heir. Of course, such an item 

 as that mentioned is something more than an atom of 

 the annual expenditure ; in fact, it is one of very serious 

 amount. Eggs during the winter months are so ex- 

 travagantly dear that people with large incomes have 

 almost done without them ; but their regular use in 

 places devoted to the care and nurture of the sick 

 seems to signify that no suitable substitute has yet been 

 found. 



Our receipts of eggs from France in the last five 

 years have been as follows : — 



