MARKETING EGGS 481 



board filler. Some use corrugated cushions on the tops, 

 cushion fillers on the bottoms. Others use excelsior pads, 

 while still others use loose excelsior on both tops and bottoms. 

 A few use corrugated cushions on the ends and centers to 

 protect the eggs from jarring. 



It is proportionately cheaper per dozen eggs to ship them in 

 30-dozen cases rather than in 15-dozen or smaller lots. 



The U. S. Department of Agriculture states that cottonwood 

 possesses certain advantages over other woods as material for 

 egg cases. It does not warp or crack as easily as other woods; 

 it is lighter, softer, more easily handled, and is odorless. 



It is found that fillers which are old or have been wet stand 

 less pressure than new uninjured fillers. The new fillers are 

 the most satisfactory. 



The tips of the fillers should be strong and prevent the eggs 

 from coming in contact with the wood of the box. Cement 

 covered nails have a great advantage in holding power over 

 those not cemented. This coating usually consists of resin, 

 mixed with wax. The heat developed in driving the nail fuses 

 the coating and causes it to adhere to the wood. 



In shipping eggs in carload lots it is found that if the boxes 

 are not packed tightly the entire mass of cases shift from end to 

 end as the train starts and stops or in switching operations. If 

 this occurs there will be considerable breakage in the cases at 

 the ends of the car. 



Eggs are sometimes broken by the handlers stepping on the 

 tops of the cases. The case should not have so much excelsior 

 or other material in it that the top bulges slightly upward, or 

 in settling, as a result of other packages being placed upon it, 

 there will be breakage of some of the eggs. The car can be 

 packed with straw in between the cases and car ends. While 

 this acts as a buffer, preventing to a certain degree breakage, 

 yet it prevents a free passage of cold air from the ice bunkers. 



Many eggs become broken by not using cushions or the ex- 

 celsior not evenly distributed. 



THE COLLECTING OF EGGS ON CREAM ROUTES 



The question of markets is one that is of vital interest to all 

 producers. 



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