54 
BULLETIN 1385, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
tempts have been made to fix the price without due consideration to 
market supplies, consumption, and trade practices, they have re- 
sulted in a scarcity of supplies, if the price was set too low in com- 
parison with other towns, or in an oversupply if the quotation was 
set too high, with the consequent demoralization of the market. If 
the price was set too low there would not be eggs enough to go 
around and premiums would be paid by the retailer for them. If 
the price was too high, concessions would be granted by the whole- 
saler to the retailer in order to move the eggs. 
The most satisfactory quotations have been those which have been 
made by observation of unrestricted trading between wholesalers, 
commission men or jobbers, and the retail trade. 
Fig. 22. — Retail egg merchant, St. Pauls Market, Rome, Italy 
A NOISELESS AUCTION 
In Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other sections of the Netherlands 
e^g auctions are established where the various cooperative egg- 
marketing circles or dealers can send their eggs for sale by auction. 
Upon receipt at the auction rooms the eggs are tested and sampled. 
A list is prepared of the different lots as to names of shippers and 
quantities, and each lot is given a number. A list of the lots to be 
offered for sale, showing consignees and lot numbers and quantities, 
is prepared and posted in the auction room. When the auction 
opens the patrons seat themselves on benches or chairs, each of which 
is equipped with an electric push button which connects with a 
mechanical auctioneer. This apparatus consists of a large dial ap- 
proximately 3 feet in diameter, the edges of which are marked with 
numerals representing gulden and cents. A finger, like the hand of 
a watch, moves slowly around the dial from the highest amount to 
the lowest. 
