Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1890 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

Keeping Egg* for Winter. In preserving eggs for winter use it must be understood that the whole secret is to keep the porous shell from admitting the air and moisture. If this can bo done the eggs will keep for quite a length of time. There are two good methods of doing this, which may be of value to those beginning the work. The first method is to smear the surface of the shells with oil oc varnish of some kind, and then to pack them in bran, charcoal, or some similar substance. The shells of course will be discolored by tills oroeess,.and they will not consequently meet with ready sale in the market. Gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol, will not discolor the shells so much as the above, and apparently answers the same purpose. Beeswax and olive oil, mixed in the proportion of one to two, will also make a good coating for the shells, and will close up tho pores sufficiently to keep them for some time. But the best method is to lime the eggs. A pickle Is first made as follows: One bushel of fine quality stone lime, eight quarts of salt, and about sixty gallons of water. Blake tho lime well, and then add tho water and salt, stirring frequently until all is settled and cold. Draw off the clear brine into a watertight cask, and tHhi put the eggs in as soon as taken from the nest. When a layer of eggs about a foot deep are put in, a little of the milky brine, made by stirring up some of tho very light lime particles, should be allowed to settle over them. Then put in another similar layer, and then repeat the operation. Fill the barrel with eggs to within four or five inches of the top, and then cover tho top with a factory cloth. On top of this cloth spread a layer of lime that settled in making the pickle. The pickle must be kept above this lime, to keep it cool and moist. If the eggs are to be sent to market they should be taken out of the brine carefully, and after being thoroughly wiped pack away neatly. They must not be allowed to get warm in the summer time, nor too cold in the winter. An equal degree of moderate warmth is best.— Practical Farmer.