390 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



" What about washing ? " " Never wash an egg ; they 

 nuist be produced clean." 



New York's needs are so great that a day or two may 

 clean out a big stock of stuff, and thus it comes about 

 that only a day or two may work much change in a 

 market quotation, if inshipments clog up somewhere, or 

 cease suddenly. The railroads try to avoid piling too 

 much stuff on one market, but this sometimes occurs. A 

 frequent shipper needs to watch the market, to use tele- 

 phone and telegraph for quick information as to changes, 

 and to know about the markets which are recurrent, 

 yet special. 



The important holiday markets for dressed stuff are 

 Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year's. You 

 want a good fowl — one a little extra, at these times. 

 Please note: so docs every one besides you ! This ex- 

 plains the fact which confronts the commission merchant, 

 that the holiday call is largely for the very finest grades. 

 Up to Christmas, big turkeys have a call ; after that, 

 the smaller sizes are preferred. The preferred holiday 

 market for chickens is New Year's ; while geese sell 

 best at Christmas. 



There are eight Jewish holiday periods, which are 

 variable, but concerning which advices can be had from 

 the dealers. Some want all kinds of fowls. Others 

 specify. For instance, the market sheet states that for 

 the Feast of Weeks, good fowls are especially wanted; 

 for Purim, " fowls and prime hen turkeys." During 

 these holidays, the demand for live poultry is much 

 larger than is usual. 



The tendency is everywhere to simplify handling. 

 The farm demands it, because labor is not to be had for 



