PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



perfectly fresh. The retainer is returned at the producer's 

 expense. 



4. Selling to the commission merchant. This is usually 

 done by the local merchant, but if eggs are produced in large 

 numbers it is advisable to ship in 30 dozen cases to the city 

 merchant. 



5. Selling eggs for hatching. A setting of eggs is counted 

 as 15. Eggs for hatching can be shipped by express or by 

 parcel post. The safer method is by express as the package 

 receives more careful handling and goes through with less 

 breakage. If eggs were shipped by parcel post in baskets 

 instead of in cartons, the results would undoubtedly be more 

 favorable. 



Packing Eggs for Hatching 



The best method is to pack in a basket with strong handle. 

 The basket is first lined with heavy paper, and a thin layer of 

 excelsior is placed in the bottom. Then each egg is wrapped 

 first with paper, then with excelsior, then packed in the basket. 

 When the first layer of eggs is placed they are covered with 

 excelsior and upon this the second layer is placed. When 

 all the eggs are in snug position they are covered with a layer 

 of excelsior, and over this is sewed a muslin cover. A label 

 marked "EGGS FOR HATCHING" should be pasted on the 

 muslin, and a tag containing the shipping address and name 

 of sender is fastened to handle. Eggs packed in this way 

 can be shipped safely either by express or parcel post. 



Guarantee. When eggs are sold for hatching a special 

 price is expected. This ranges from $1 per 15 to $1 per egg. 

 It is customary to give a guarantee to protect the purchaser in 

 event of failure to secure a good hatch. What constitutes a 

 good hatch? Not less than eight sound chicks. If the setting 

 cost $1, each chick would cost only 12)^ cents, and the same 

 quality of chick would cost about 20 cents from the hatchery. 

 If the setting cost $3 the chick cost would be 20 cents, and the 

 same grade from the special breeder would cost not less than 

 50 cents. It must be remembered that home-hatched chicks 

 are usually superior to incubator chicks that are compelled to 

 undergo the ordeal of a long shipment. 



Even though the first cost may be greater, there is less 

 risk in securing new stock through eggs for hatching than 

 in any other way. What should the guarantee be? It is cus- 



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