The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-05-23
FARM TOPICS.
Packing Eggs.

Some advocate packing eggs on the
big end, others again advocate the pack
ing on the small end. The writer has
tried both methods. There is little diff
ference between the two, but would
rather give the large end the preference.
1t is certain that eggs set up on either
end will keep longer in a state of fresh
ness than those laid OH the side, and
for packing, to be shipped long dis
trnee, it is highly necessary. Since, by
trial, eggs set on end will endure more
knocking and bruising about without
damage, it is better to employ the surer
and safer method. Any one much ac-
customed to the handling and observa-
ton of eggs, knows that each egg is
furnished with an bladder, or empty
space, between the shell and inner lin
ing. This air-bladder is on the big end,
usually at the apex, surrounding the
crown, and varies according to the age
of the egg. Sometimes it is u little at
one side, and, although not readily dis
covered, is always there. Take an egg
between the thumb Ind forefinger, and
turn it around slowly, holding it against
strong sunlight or candle, and it will
be discovered. In a fresh-laid egg it
will be no larger than a three-cent
piece, in some cases about the size of a
large pea.
If this air bladder be directly over the
crown, the theory has been advanced
that the egg will produce a cock. If
decidedly at one side, pullet will be
the result; if partly balanced on the
crown, it may be a pullet, and it may be
a cock; but an egg that has no air blad-
der will never hatch. The writer has
heard this theory advanced, and has
proved its fallacy some years ago.
There is no such thing as an egg desti-
tute of the empty chamber. Every egg
is intended by nature at its first forma-
ton to produce repetition and type of
the parent The air-chamber is for the
direct benefit of the chick while in the
shell. There is no power by which man
may control or exercise any influence
over the sexes of the increase before
hand. An egg with an air-chamber di-
rectly over the top of the end may pro-
duce cock, and it may produce a pull
let; but one thing is certain, if the egg
is fortunate enough to hatch, and the
chick to grow up, it will be either one
thing or the other. This theory has
been exploded. There is no way
whereby the sexes may be controlled by
man-that rests with higher power.
Since this air-chamber is necessary to
the egg, it is to our interest to preserve
it as nearly as possible in perfect state.
Thus the method of placing on the large
end has gained favor, as the packing
exactly in a perpendicular form better
sustains the original position. If an egg
lies for any length OF time on the side
this chamber moves around to the upper
side, and the contents settle to the OPP
posite. Hence we see that eggs that
have been packed for any great length
of time when placed in water will retain
the same position, and oftentimes float.
When eggs are packed for Matching pur-
poses, and have to be sent to distance,
the packages should be made as solid as
possible. Then no amount Of travel
will injure their Matching if the egg be
all right in the first place, properly fer
/. tilted and fresh-laid. The writer sent
a dozen eggs 100 miles to friend fol
Matching purposes last spring. They
were securely packed in 9inch wooden
box, furnished with a leather strap fol-
handling on the journey. Not an egg
of them brought forth chick. The
difficulty was set down by the purchaser
as The result of railway travel. Thought
I knew better. The breeding-yard wa'