The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-04-12
Imported Eggs.

The EUening Post editorially referred
the other day to the indignant protests
of the Central Ohio Butter and Egg
Packers Association, to the effect that
the home trade was seriously injured by
the importation of foreign eggs to New
York, and that something ought to be
done about it. To-day a reporter made
inquiries to ascertain the extent and
character of this foreign supply. The
principal handler of imported eggs in
this market is Mr.. John G. Mahr, of No.
299 Washington street. When ques-
toned on the subject he said, in sub.
stance:
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 centers.
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 produced largely in Italy, Austria,
Denmark and Turkey. They are packed
in straw, in cases containing fifty, sixty
or one hundred and twenty dozen.
Some of them have been cured for
winter keeping, like our domestic
eggs, by being kept in lime water,
which fills up the pores of the shells and
renders it possible to keep the eggs in
good condition Tor months after their
removal from the water. Most of the
imported eggs are fresh laid, however,
and, after a voyage of two or three
weeks longer. Some of the lots are
Cd too 81 ia hn
tom in certain parts of Europe-the i'm
ported eggs, on the average, being q
little smaller than the domestic. They
are sold here at from one cent to three
cents per dozen less than the market
price of domestic eggs, according to
size and quality. 1t is necessary to ex-
anime them here, of course, but the
work of inspection is much less than
might be supposed. AS rule it is
not necessary TO hold an egg opposite
the flame of candle in order to see the
condition of It's contents, which an eX-
pert can detect by ordinary handling.
and inspection as quickly as money
changer can Judge by the weight and
feeling of a coin whether it is true or
false. OF the foreign eggs received in
this market, great number are con-
sumed in this city and neighborhood,
while others are sent to points in Me-
England.
In the last year, say from March 1,
1888, to March l, 1884, l have handled
about 5000 cases of imported eggs, IN
the average of 80 or 90 dozen to the
case. / suppose that IN all some 5000
or IL, 900 cases were received here dur
ing that period. The late shipments
have been especially heavy, because the
winter has been mild in England, and
London has consequently been n poor
market for imported eggs. Many which
would otherwise have gone to London
have therefore naturally been sent to
New York, where the price OF fresh-laid
domestic eggs reached nearly so cents
per dozen during January. The price
would have gone higher but for these
importations, which had the effect OF
making eggs cheaper throughout the
country. What affects the egg market
in New York affects it in all parts of the
United States.
"How is it possible to import eggs
and sell them at less price than they
could be produced for herep Why, be-
cause OF the tariff and because of the
outrageous freight charges which result
from railroad pools and combinations.
: Recently 1900 dozen eggs were sent by
express through from Missouri TO this
city, and the bill for their Transports
ton, which 1 can show to you, was
1920, or exactly eight cents per dozen
| Ordinary freight rates for eggs from
most of the Western States to New
! York are higher than the freights from
! Europe. There is no duty upon for
egn eggs. If there was there would b'
no money in their importation. ~. 4