MARKETING THE EGGS 115 
sent to market, the majority being far from 
fresh when they arrive. 
These eggs which bring 18 to 20 cents a 
dozen, are candled to determine their con- 
dition. Some are thrown out, some broken, 
and the others graded as to their condition 
from first class down to mighty poor class. 
They are then put in cold storage, and four, 
six or eight months later, the consumer buys 
them in the hope that they are good. Cold 
storage, however, is indispensable. While 
there are some bad features, let us give the 
business its due credit, for without it the 
public for six months would have to do with- 
out any egg's or pay exorbitant prices. 
From September to Janaury is the time 
when fewest eggs are laid. This accounts 
for the high prices. Hens are molting then, 
old hens laying practically none at all, and 
most spring pullets have not begun laying, 
hence there is a practical halt in production. 
Some writers, (one in particular) claim that 
their pullets are brought to laying age just 
at the time the older hens stop, so they go 
right on filling the orders about the same 
as usual. I will not dispute this assertion; 
but while we have all had some pullets that 
lay early, still, to have a whole flock take 
