The Osceola times., 1884-04-26
IMPORTED EGGS.
The Competition of European with Anne RI
tive Tariff and High Railroad Freights.
Na,. N,.L I,.opipa D,ut


the Evening Post editorially referred
the other day TO the indignant protest of
the Central Ohio Butter and Egg Pack
ere association, to the effect that the
home trade was seriously injured Dy
the importation of foreign eggs to New
York, and thst something ought to be
done about it. To-day reporter made
inquiries 10 ascertain the character and
extent ofthis foreign supply. The prin-
c:pal handler Of imported eggs in this
market rs Mr. John c. Mahr of No. 200
Washington street. When questioned
on the subject, he said in substance:
This importing business began about
four years ago, in small lots, and has
been growing ever since. The eggs are
shipped chiefly from Copenhagen and
Hamburg, which are great egg centres.
That is to say, eggs collected from nearly
all parts Of Europe are sent there, and
thence are distributed to the London
and other markets. The eggs are pro-
duced largly in ltal =, Austria, Denmark
and Turkey. They are packed in straw,
in cases containing fifty, sixty or 100
dozen. Some of them have been cured
for winter keeping, like our domestic
eggs, by being kept in water, which
fills up the pores of the shells and rend.
ers it possible to keep the eggs in good
condition for months after their remov-
al from the water. Most ofthe imported
eggs are fresh-laid, however, and after a
voyage of two or three weeks, will keep
for month or six weeks longer. Some
of the lots are graded according to size,
as is the custom of certain parts Of Eu-
rope-the imported eggs, on the average,
being little smaller than the domestic.
They are sold here at from one cent TO
three cents per dozen less than the
market price Of ofdomestic eggs, according
TO the size and quality. II IL necessary
10 examine them hero, Of course, but
the work OF inspection is much less than
might be supposed. AS rule, IL is not
necessary 10 hold AN egg opposite the
flame Of candle in order 10 see the con-
dition OF its contents, which an expert
can detect by ordinary handling and in
spectlon IA quickly an money-changer
can judge by the weight and feeling of
com whether II IL true or false. OF
the foreign eggs received in this market,
great number are consumed in this
city and neighborhood, while others are
sent b. points in New England.
an the last year, say from March l.,
1888, 10 March /, 1884, ! have handled
about 5000 cases Of imported eggs, on
the average af fifty or sixty dozen TO the
case. suppose that in all some 10000
or 1900 cases were received here during
that period The late shipments have
been especially heavy, because the win.
ter has been mild in England, and Lon
don has consequently been poor mar
ket for imported eggs. Many which
would otherwise have gone 10 London
nave therefore naturally been sent 10
New York, where the price of ircsh-laid
domestic egps reached nearly 80 cents
per dozen during January. The price
would have gone hi cher but for these
imDOr,atiOns, which have been the effect
o making eggs cheaper throughout the
country. What Affects the cgg market
10 New York affects IL In all parts OF the
United States.
How Is II possible 10 import eggs and
scll them ~ less price ihan they can be
produced fn berei Why, because the
protective tariff makes HE cost OF every
thing higher here than anywhere else,
and because of the outrageous freight
charges which result from railroad pools
and combinations. Recently 800 dos.