ON A TOWN LOT 



CHAPTER VII 



49 



MAKING SHIPMENTS 



January Inquiries 



HE last part of January, of the first year I did 

 advertising worth while, my breeding pens were 

 made up and the mating list and catalog all ready 

 to be distributed. In compiling the circular or cata- 

 log, it is a good plan to give a history and description 

 of the breed so as to create confidence in their 

 good points. 



Before January was over, inquiries were coming 

 in for eggs and baby chicks. I had about the same 

 experience with these inquiries that I had with the inquiries for stock 

 in the early fall. I found that the mail had become quite heavy, and 

 much of the time was occupied answering correspondence. Before Febru- 

 ary was far advanced, some orders for baby chicks and hatching eggs 

 had been received. My incubators were set and the brooders ready. 



Boxing and Shipping Eggs 



The time was due for the first shipment of eggs, and it was important 

 to know how to pack them. There are many different ways, and different 

 breeders are indorsing different plans. The easiest way to ship, and one 

 of the cheapest, is by the use of the egg boxes manufactured by box 

 companies. On page 51 is one of these boxes illustrated. All that is 

 necessary is to wrap the eggs in paper and place in the section for each 

 e%g. Scatter a little bran or chaff over them. Seal the box and it is 

 ready to go. This will do for a short haul. But if it is going far I 

 would put the box in a basket and tie to the handle so it will not be 

 tossed out. A little excelsior or straw placed in the bottom of the basket 

 will be a great protection against any careless handling at the hands of 

 the express company. These boxes are more desirable for single settings. 

 I found round bushel baskets satisfactory for shipping fifty or more eggs. 

 When orders ran up to a thousand or more these baskets are just the thing. 

 Each basket will hold one hundred eggs. In extreme weather I line these 

 baskets with paper. I wrap each egg in paper before placing it in the 

 basket. The bushel basket should be well lined with straw by distributing 

 it around the side and bottom of the basket about two inches thick to 



