EGGS FOR EXPORT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 October 1926, Page 5

EGGS FOR EXPORT.

lONIC’S LARGE SHIPMENT. A reminder of the value of the egg industry (o New Zealand was given on Alondny, when the s.s. lonic loaded crates containing 20,190 dozen eggs from Canterbury, and 18,200 dozen from Otago, the eggs having been sent 'lmre because the boat is not calling at Lyttelton or .Dunedin. The eggs were consigned by the Canterbury Egg Producers’ Association and the Otago Egg Circle. and are for the London ■ market. They were packed at Christchurch and Dunedin respectively, and Mr C. J. C. Cusscn, Government pou'try instructor (Christchurch) came to Timaru yesterday to supervise the shipping of them. hi the course of a conversation with Mr Giessen, it was learned the export of from New Zealand to the home market.', commenced about lour years at;o, and that about (50,0U0 dozen will he shipped this year. Generally speaking, ihe production of did not result iu any very substantial profit, and it was thought that il an outside markid. could he secured, it would have a good effect on the Dominion market. Comparatively few poultry farmers were in for export, but probably the number would he considerably enlarged if better prices were obtained at Dome. The export that was taking place had a good etiocf on the industry locally, in that tin; price was higher than it would otherwise bo, hut if still move eggs were exported it might reasonable he expected that there would bo a further improvement in the local price. When it wax mentioned to Air Cussen. that the prices quoted from Homo were for “long hundreds,'’ and that a good many people did not understand tin* quotation in that jorm. Air Cussen said that “a long hundred’’ meant one hundred and twenty eggs, equal to 10 lbs weight. The packing of the eggs is perhaps the most important part in the shipment. as this lias to be carefully done. Mr Cussen said that first of all the eggs wore graded hv the producer, and any egg under the weight of loz 74 drains, was cast mil. Alter the eggs arrive at the export depot-,, they aro again graded hv girls into “long hundreds.” After the rggs go from the graders they are tested under strong lights (250 e„p.) for freshness, and size, and if the air cell is over the sizo of a. six-ponce in cireumtoronco they aro rejected because of .staleness. The eggs are then passed on to the packers, who test their shells by tapping. They are then packed in 30 dozen ease lots, then l being a. .separate container for each egg. The cases are divided into two sections, each holding 15 dozen lots, and to ensure safety on the voyage, three wool-wood pads aro placed in the box .one on top, one in the middle, and the (bird on the bottom. This allows] for a certain amount of play, and the eggs can he fairly we'l assured of a. safe passage, and so arrive iu the Homeland iu first class as other shipments have dono.