52 



Preservation of Eggs. 



lime-water sometimes communicates a disagreeable odour 

 and taste. 



Several other methods have been tested in various 

 countries. In Canada it was found that, when packed in 

 bran, infertile eggs kept better than fertile. German experi- 

 ments with brine yielded inconclusive results : in some cases 

 the eggs so preserved were quite good, but in other instances 

 the salt penetrated the eggs. 



The preservation of eggs in water glass has often been 

 tested of late in the United States, particularly at the North 

 Dakota Experiment Station. "Water glass or soluble glass 

 is the popular name for potassium silicate, or for sodium 

 silicate, the commercial article often being a mixture of the 

 two. It is sold in two forms — as a syrup, of about the 

 consistency of molasses, or as a powder. According to the 

 results obtained in North Dakota, a solution of the 

 desired strength for preserving eggs may be made by 

 dissolving one part of the syrup in 10 parts, by measure, of 

 water. If the powder is used, a smaller amount is required 

 for a given quantity of water. The water glass offered for 

 sale is sometimes very alkaline ; such material should not be 

 used, as the eggs will not keep well in it. Only pure water 

 should be used in making the solution, and it is best to boil 

 it and cool it before mixing with the water glass. The 

 solution should be carefully poured over the eggs packed in 

 a suitable vessel, which must be clean and sweet ; and if 

 wooden kegs or barrels are used, they should be thoroughly 

 scalded before packing the eggs in them. The packed eggs 

 should be stored in a cool place ; if they are placed where it 

 is too warm, silicate is deposited on the shell, and they do not 

 keep well. It was found best not to wash the eggs before 

 packing, as this removes the natural mucilaginous coating 

 on the outside of the shell. One gallon of the solution was 

 found to be sufficient for 50 dozen eggs if properly packed. 

 It is stated that the shells of eggs preserved in. water glass 

 are apt to crack in boiling, but that this may be prevented 

 by puncturing the blunt end of the egg with a pin beiore 

 putting it into the water. 



