f° 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
, BULLETIN No. 664 ; 
Contribution from the Bureau of Chemistry 
CARL L. ALSBERG, Chief 
Washington, D. C. Vv April 25, 1918 
THE PREVENTION OF BREAKAGE OF EGGS IN 
TRANSIT WHEN SHIPPED IN CARLOTS. 
By M. BH. Prennineton, Chief, Food Research Laboratory, H. A. McAtLeerr, 
Investigator in Poultry and Egg Handling, and A. D. GREENLEE, Assistant 
Chemist, assisted by F. X. DAILEY and H. C. ALBIN. 
CONTENTS. 
Page | Results of the investigation: Page. 
Reason for the investigation..........-..-..- 1 Factors contributing to transit damage. - 12 
Amount of damage to eggs during market- ADGY=) SIVAD. Ot WO) Vo oes aosacs cose 13 
TO CEL Se en en 2 The soundness of the beeshell 2; HORE AE 14 
Progress of the investigation: The character of the package.......- 16 
(COMET lAMa was ey ee oie Se wel 3 The position of the egg in the pack- 
Conditions at point of origin: ABCs Newel A cea eatte ei nee eens ates 18 
The eggs and the package.......--.- 3 The position of the case in the car... - 20 
Transfer of eggs from packing house The character of the buffing and 
OHI 2 an ao SOP ena ee eee 4 bracins ofthe loadieer ss sss ease 20 
Stowinesihenond=s = sees. seers 2 se 5 The construction of the car........-. 26 
IPMaGineGaSeSHINCAns (Ne sce 22k 5 Shocks during the haul.............-. 27 
Buffing the load with straw........- 6 Handling at the terminal........-..- 28 
Buffing the load with wooden frames Of SUMMING bya elke Bae Soh. eee eel SLT sarees 30 
Brace pie lGAGs. ceo. so. 8 
Mhemartlroad hauleos= asa Ss fe ee 9 
Conditions at the terminal.............-- 10 
REASON FOR THE INVESTIGATION. 
Breaking the shell of an egg shortens its market life in direct pro- 
portion to the extent of the damage. A complete mashing of the 
shell immediately renders the egg useless for food purposes; a crack 
visible to the naked eye foreshadows prompt decay, and necessitates 
immediate consumption; while even the slightest fracture of the shell 
makes impossible satisfactory preservation for use when eggs are 
scarce. The shell of the egg is fragile; yet it must frequently travel 
far by varied conveyances, and successfully withstand comparatively 
rough usage, if it is to satisfy marketing requirements. 
43010°—Bull. 664—18——1 
