470 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



of a "candle." Candle is the name given to an egg tester 

 when it is used in connection with market eggs. It operates 

 on precisely the same principle as the lamp tester usually 

 sent by incubator manufacturers, and usually consists of a 

 tin can with a hole in the side and an electric-light bulb 



Fig. 226 



Appearance of a new-laid egg when broken out. Note how the thick 

 albumen "stands up" as compared with the thin albumen which covers the 

 bottom of the dish. (Courtesy of University of Missouri.) 



inside, as shown in Fig. 225. The use of such a candle 

 necessitates a dark room. 



Firsts. — A first is the nearest approach to a fresh egg that is 

 known to the egg trade. Besides being new laid, it must be 

 clean and unwashed, average very close to 45 pounds to 



