THE MARKET END 225 



get such a flock is to choose one variety and stick to it. 

 Don't breed from a Plymouth Rock one year, tlie next 

 year a Leghorn to increase egg production, and a 

 Brahma to add size the year following, or you will 

 have a flock of all colors, sizes and shapes. Stick to 

 one kind whatever it may be and in the long run you 

 will come out ahead. 



Fresh eggs in the farmer's and housekeeper's mind 

 and "fresh" eggs to the mind of the dealer are different 

 commodities. To the latter all eggs which have not 

 been in storage are "fresh." "New laid" is a term 

 which is now applied to eggs laid within a week or two. 

 The storage business has grown to such large propor- 

 tions that thousands of cases of eggs are now put in 

 cold storage during the spring months to be taken out 

 when the price and conditions warrant. Many of these 

 are sold as "fresh" or country eggs. 



The farmer or poultry keeper who is in a position 

 to do so will get the most money from his flock by 

 selling the eggs direct to consumers. This can only be 

 done advantageously where the eggs can be delivered 

 each week. All dirty eggs must be washed clean, and 

 if the eggs are crated and shipped it will pay to grade 

 them as to size and color. Brown shell eggs are liked 

 best in New England and command a premium; in 

 New York spotless white eggs are worth most. In 

 the west and south no difference is made for color of 

 shell. 



Eggs should be gathered every day and all from 

 "new" nests and those about whose age there is any 

 doubt kept separate and candled. One bad tgg will 

 often lose a good customer. Cases holding thirty 

 dozen filled with pasteboard fillers which hold each egg 

 separately are universally used for shipping and stor- 

 age. A variety of styles of boxes and baskets are used 

 for shipping eggs for hatching. Anything that is neat 



