BREAKAGE OF RGGS IN TRANSIT. 19 
The center partition may be considered to form one end of the case. 
When a shock is received on the end of the case, it is transmitted to 
the eggs through the filler tips, if they are not bent, or through the 
walls of the cell, forcing the entire 15 dozen eggs back against the 
center board, where, again, the tips of the fillers are called upon to 
afford protection. If the tips fail, the eggs come into sharp con- 
tact with the case itself, and damage results. The extent of the 
damage at the center board is less than at the end of the case, due 
probably to the absorption of a certain amount of the shock by the 
packing and load of the case. 
It will be observed, that cars which were not well loaded show a . 
greater amount of damage in each row, but that a difference be- 
tween the end and the center board is maintained. Experimental 
observations in the testing laboratory have fully confirmed the rec- 
ords of the experimental shipments. The damage occurring in the 
different layers of the case is summarized in Table 8. 
TABLE 8.—Damage in various layers in the case. 
Layer. 
Description of cars. 
Top. Second. | Third. | Fourth. | Fifth. 
Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent. 
c 1.41 isalal i: Is ilit 0.84 1.05 
NVOO GUO Oates eee mre ee Pt a ee 2.46 eo 1.42 1.10 1.04 
eo wd hy leate eal: SSN Ges | Ghee Bare ee eee ea eee 3.06 1.91 1.39 1.50 1.87 
Many factors may contribute to increase the breakage in the top 
layer. Among them are walking on cases or climbing over them, an 
inadequate cushion, or the throwing of the eggs against the lid of 
the case during severe jolts. Experimental work in the testing 
laboratory indicated that the damage in the top layer caused by 
definitely administered shocks on the end of the case amounted to 
approximately 40 per cent of the total damage in the whole case. 
It is of interest to observe in Table 8 that damage, unless almost 
negligible, as in straw-buffed, well loaded cars, is approximately 
twice as heavy in the top layer as in any of the lower layers. 
The question of buffing in the ends of the cases was also studied 
in the testing laboratory. If the center partition is properly placed, 
and the fillers and flats fit the cases, excelsior wads, corrugated flats. 
or other buffing is not needed, and does not afford additional pro- 
tection. Improperly placed center boards or fillers that are either 
too large or too small are a prolific source of damage, and buffing in 
the ends of the cases can not be relied upon to afford adequate pro- 
tection. 
