HOW TO MARKET EGGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 April 1927, Page 16

HOW TO MARKET EGGS.

USEFUL HINTS. The following useful hints on the correct methods of marketing eggs have been issued in leaflet form by the Department of Agriculture, London, England: Collect eggs at least once a day. Eggs deteriorate rapidly under broody hens or in summer heat; frost may crack the shell. Store eggs for market in a clean, cool, dry place, away from odorous material. Eggs have a jporous shell; they are quickly tainted if stored near paraffin, cheese, oranges, and other strong-smelling goods. The ideal temperatures for an egg store is from 40 deg. to 50deg. Fahr. Dampness causes mould growths in the eggs. Market weekly—more frequently if possible. Eggs may pass through many hands before reaching the consumer; get them to market at the earliest possible moment. Never hold eggs; treat your market fairly. To hold eggs for higher prices and then sell them as fresh, or to mix preserved eggs with new-laid, is not playing the game. Always candle eggs from “stolen nests.” Eggs from “stolen nests” are probably .stale,' and may be rotten. Similarly, infertile eggs removed from the incubator are not liew laid; addled eggs ai-e unfit for human consumption. The sale of eggs unfit for health food is an offence under the Public Health Acts. You are better placed for supplying new laid eggs than the foreigner; don’t, fritter this advantage away. 1 Keep nests clean and dry. Fresh, dry, short straw is the best nesting material; hay is often strong in scene and holds the damp. Never use mouldy hay. Damp stains eggs. Clean hen eggs with damp cloth. Avoid washing hen eggs ; this destroys the b’oom and impairs keeping qualities. Wash cu'ck eggs. Duck eggs, if dirty, should be washed clean immediately after collection; a “rub-over” is not sufficient. Keep stained eggs at home. Stained eggs never look “new laid,” and spoil the ' appearance of a consignment. Dirt is a poor trade-mark and a bad advertisement. Make consignments uniform. (Irade your eggs as far as possible. Misshapen;' double-yolked, and undersized specimens should be used at home. Never “top” a consignment. Do not mix duck and hen eggs. This spoils the market lor both. Many buyers - of hen eggs do not want duck eggs. Better prices can often be obtained for duck eggs when sold apart. Breakages are more frequent in mixed consignments. ” Use suitable packages, and dry, clean packing material. Display 'your egg 9 in a basket, case, or other container that shows them to advantage. Stained or damaged fillers and flats spoil, appearance and add to breakage risks. Odourless wood wool is better for packing than straw, and usually dryer. Brand non-returnable packages your own mark and the grade or the contents. X good upowawice attracts buyers.