THE MARKETING OF POULTRY PRODUCTS. 7 
retarding it. As the fowls become broody the production 
begins to drop off, and large numbers of eggs are incubated, 
thus further reducing the supply available for consumption. 
Prices then take an upward turn, rising gradually from May 
to September, when a large proportion of the adult fowls go 
into molt and practically cease egg production. From this 
point the rise is rapid, reaching the highest point in December 
and January and dropping rapidly during February and March 
as the spring flood of eggs begins to reach the market. The 
above outlines the general trend of prices year after year, with 
occasional sharp breaks or rises due to periods of weather 
favorable or unfavorable for egg production. Inthe accompany- 
ing chart will be noted some such sudden changes in quota- 
tions, which soon thereafter return to the normal point. 
During the period of heaviest production vast numbers of 
eggs are placed in cold storage for preservation until the season 
of scant supply. ‘This system really acts as a balance-wheel, 
as it absorbs all surplus at a fair price. There is no doubt 
that, without this or some similar method of preservation, egg 
prices would go to a ruinously low figure every spring, as at 
that time production 1s greatly in excess of consumption. 
There is a fashion in eggs as in other things. In Boston, 
Providence, and other important New England markets the 
fancy trade demands brown-shelled eggs, while in New York 
and the markets dominated by that great city best prices are 
received for eggs with white shells. Logically, then, the egg 
producer who desires to cater to this best trade should keep 
only those varieties of fowls which will yield him eggs meeting 
its requirements, even though he is personally convinced that 
the brown-shelled egg is as good as the white-shelled, or that 
it is not. 
PRICHS., 
When eggs are placed upon the open market they are usually 
sold at the ruling price of that day or at a slight decrease from 
or advance over this price according to the ability of the sales- 
man. In contracts with private customers, however, it is far 
better to have the price definitely settled in advance. Many 
customers, in order to be sure of their supply of fresh eggs 
throughout the year will contract for a stated number to be 
