TO OBTAIN BEST PRICES 431 



into a number of grades, which are sold to jobbers, and there- 

 after the same route is followed as for the local eggs, only to a 

 different class of trade. These eggs seldom come in competition 

 with local eggs, for they are usually of inferior quality. 



Selling Direct. — If eggs are worth producing, every effort 

 should be made to get their full value, and to do this they must 

 "be marketed as quickly as possible, so as to avoid any deteriora- 

 tion, and sold wherever possible direct to the consumer, all other 

 arguments to the contrary notwithstanding. Hotels, restaurants 

 of the better class, clubs, steamships, railroads and soda fountains 

 are among the highest bidders for strictly first-grade eggs, and 

 many are supplied directly from large poultry farms. The prices 

 at which these eggs are sold are usually at a given premium over 

 top market quotation, or at a fixed rate per dozen on a year's 

 contract for a given number of crates per week. The premium 

 method is probably the best for all concerned, and may be made 

 from three to ten cents above the market. 



Business of this character is generally done on a standing order, 

 and the shipments are seldom more troublesome than dealing 

 with commission merchants. Collections may be slower, of 

 course, but the progressive poultryman must endeavor to take 

 a position where he can extend a certain amount of credit; it 

 is one of the principles of modern business. 



Another class of trade may be found among the first-class 

 grocers who make a specialty in eggs of known quality, and to 

 dealers who carry on a strictly high grade butter and egg delivery. 

 Special terms can be made with a trade of this kind, similar to 

 the hotel patronage — a premium over market quotations, and 

 if those dealers who cater to a discriminating class can rely upon 

 the poultryman for an absolutely uniform product, they will take 

 special pains to create a high price market. 



Unscrupulous poultrymen have abused the practice of receiving 

 premiums, hence those who have suffered by the abuse are apt 

 to be a little skeptical, and jiistly so. The weakness of the plan 

 is this: The premium offered sometimes tempts the poultryman 

 into buying eggs from his neighbors and other outside sources, 



