Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 152, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1919 — ASSOCIATION PRODUCES EARLY CHICKS FOR ITS MEMBERS FROM BIG INCUBATOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ASSOCIATION PRODUCES EARLY CHICKS FOR ITS MEMBERS FROM BIG INCUBATOR

(Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) A community egg circle is really a modern revision of the old-fashioned knitting bee or spelling school, with the exception that it aims toward financial profit rather than social benefit for its members. The annual pf'f rron ftf Uncle Sam arooun ts to approximately’ $700,000,000 in value. Largely because of improper handling and inferior methods, of, marketing there is an annual loss of approximately 8 per cent of the eggs marketed. Many farmers look upon eggs as a by-product, and the returns as so much clear gain. Their hens forage for a living, eggs are gathered when convenient and stored almost anywhere. With such carelessness and a combination of mongrel stock, dirty nests, stolen nests of broody hens, unconfined males, late maturing pullets, and other undesirable conditions, is it any wonder that the ultimate product includes a high percentage of small, cracked, dirty, stale, heated, and even rotten eggs? Occasionally the accumulations of country eggs are taken to the crossroads merchant and exchanged for merchandise. Tift merchant usually buys these eggs “case count," paying the same price for all kinds and sizes, provided they have unbroken shells. Small production results in small or Infrequent shipments. —. How to Prevent Losses.

How can these losses be prevented? By selecting pure breeds that lay more or larger eggs, such as the White Leghorn, the Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, or Orpingtons ; by giving better care, food, and shelter to the flock and providing dry, clean, vermin-proof nests; by confining males except during the breeding season; by collecting eggs frequently, especially during hot or muggy weather; by storing eggs in a dry, clean, cool place; by using the small and otherwise unmarketable eggs on the home table; by marketing frequently, with protection at all times from heat; by selling for cash on a basis of size and quality, “loss off” instead of “case count;” by using an attractive package, and by combining,shipments as a measure of economy. By uniting several egg producers in an association or egg circle more can be accomplished in these essentials. One successful egg association has ec large incubator house of 12,000 eggs capacity, where early chicks are produced for the members at low cost. This is done In order to obtain early maturing pullets, thus securing eggs during the fall, when the supply is usually scant. The association also has a receiving room for eggs where they are candled, sorted to weight (about 24 ounces to the dozen), packed in cartons and shipped on contract orders. All eggs are guaranteed to be according to grade. The association advertises the fancy grades on their cartons and cases and market prices are paid to the members. Twice a year dividends are paid each member in proportion to the amount of eggs marketed through the association and the time of year the eggs were brought in, a larger dividend being paid a dozen for eggs marketed in the fall and winter than for those delivered in the spring and summer. A regular trade Is established with discriminating customers, with city clubs, with the best class of hotels and restauAnts and with fancy grocers for a supply each day or week. The repnation thus established enabled this association to obtain a price several cents a dozen above the regular market quotations, as fancy trade is willing to pay a prenftum for a guaranteed article. Most egg circles also cooperate in buying their chicken feed and other poultry supplies. Fancy Package Attracts Public. All food products should be delivered In clean, attractive packages. Some of the most successful egg shippers have discarded the dirty wooden case and are using a heavy fiber-board case, which will hold from 15 to 30 pasteboard cartons. Each carton has compartments for 12 eggs. Upon both the cartons and the case can be printed such advertising as may be wished. This style of package is especially desirable for the fancy retail grocer who can have his firm name included, in the advertising. The fiber-board case Is not expensive, forms a good protection for the eggs In shipping, and-,is

worthy of trial. With a firm container, parcel post can be used for small shipments to private homes within the first and second postal zones ; that is, 150 miles. Each egg should be wrapped in paper to hold it snugly on end and In its own individual compartment of the container; and after the container Is .dosed. lt .-fihould, be securely wrapped In strong wrapping paper and tied with coarse, strong cord. When there is a successful creamery established in the country neighborhood, eggs can be delivered to it with the cream or milk. Creamery officials can often work up a fancy trade among their butter customers. Farmers desiring to organize a community egg circle should correspond with the United States bureau of markets, which will supply them with detailed Information regarding its organization, operation, and management.

Motortrucks Get Eggs to Market in Time.