Sharp County record., 1879-08-28
Production AND KEEPING OF EGGS

Production AND KEEPING OF EGGS.
-Oftentimes it is matter of import
ance to keep eggs for a time. When
prices rule low, they may be preserved
in comparative freshness for several
weeks, even in July and August, if care
be taken to place them on end as soon
as brought in from the nest. One not
accustomed to the handling and care Of
eggs can form no idea of the shOrtness
of time required for the yelk Of an egg
to settle on one side, where it adheres to
the shellt and quickly spoils in warm
weather. Always place the EGG on the
bie--e.d i tfE1e trfed'both ends, ana
have decited in favor of the former po-
sition. Eggs should be gathered from
the nest every day, and where there are
many hens kept, twice in day. 1t mat
ters not for what purpose we desire
eggs, the hens that produce them should
always be young and healthy. Eggs that
are to be kept for any length of time
should always be those from young hens,
or, if two years old, only from those in
perfect health. If this rule is closely
observed by breeders who export eggs
for Matching, from one locality to anoth-
er, there would be better satisfaction
given. 1t is of much importance that
the eggs have perfect shells, and a hen
not in perfect health may drop her
eggs regularly, yet the shells may pos
sess imperfections that render them un-
fit either for keeping or Matching. A
hen in perfect health will not drop an
egg daily for more than three days in
succession. Fowls that are confined in
narrow Enclosures for any length Of time
can not be in perfect health. They are
forced out of their natural habits, and
the restraining of nature tells on the
system, sooner or later. For immediate
use, their eggs, perhaps, are as good as
any. With increasing age the shells
grow thinner, and some drop them
with no shells at all. Strength
and stamina of the system, supported
by good wholesome food, produce the
she'll 1t is a calcareOus substance that
forms around the egg after it is perfect
ed in the oviduct. The completed egg
consists of several component parts, each
one of which draws on the vital energy
and stamina of the bird, which is so
formed that its body performs its natur-
al functions in regular order when in
health. We must consider that they are
forced out of their natural order when
we feed them up for great egg produc-
ton. Did any one ever hear of wild
bird that dropped soft egg, or ever
see shelless egg that was dropped by
a wild bird? We have produced poul-
try that do not sit. Nature intended
the hen to sit on her eggs for
three weeks. and afterwards to nurse
and run with her chicks for four
or five weeks longer. In this interval
the system gains tone and strength. 1t
is an entire change; division of labor,
and the fowl gathers strength and tone
for future egg-productiOn. The regular
Sitters seldom drop more than 10 eggs
in clutch, and then comes broOdiness.
Our non-sitters are the result of success
full breeding from fowls which had mani
tested little desire to sit. 1t was great
achievement. They are manufactured
race, and must be cared for differently
from the old common breeds much given
to sitting and little laying. Many years
back perpetual layers were unknown, as
well as the production of eggs in winter.
Among the birds of the air there is one
species known as cow blackbird,n that
never sits, but perpetuates its kind by
dropping its eggs into the nests of other
birds, by which the young are brought up.
Generally the nest of a smaller bird is