The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-17
HENS BUSY THIS SEASON
IN CONSEQUENCE FRESH LAID
EGGS ARE PLENTIFUL
But They Are NosBetter Than Those
Laid Last Spring, When the Lat
ter Are Properly Preserved
Importance of. Packing Them as
Soon as Possible.

The Poultry family Of Minnesota
held reception in st. Paul asst week.
t was really dress reception, in which
the ladies displayed their finest ap-
parel and the gentlemen their gallan-
try. Ihere was some criticism of the
Buff Cochin Chin branch because the
gentlemen Wore loose trousers that
dragged at the heels as they walked;
but this was shown to be the style,
and they were excused for their odd
appearance.
When the reception was over the
participants returned to their homes
and to their work, for 1t should be
remarked that the Poultry family is
one of the most Industrious and
wealthy, in point of income derived
from their own labors, that exists in
the country. The fact needs to be
emphasized that this family, according
TO the latest census, yields 1920, 900, 900
per annum, as against the cotton prod
uct OF $3.50 $40; that of wheat, $780,
S3S, 99S; of swine, $685. 745, and of
the oat crop, $3.50, 555, Cos. Comparison
mas been made of these figures against
expenditures for the support of the
pubic schools of SITS, 215, $50, and the
cost Of the maintenance of the United
states postoffice department, which is
$50, 626, 296 per annum.
IL IiC SupJSCl O{ the advantage OIL
female labor was a paramount issue
a this time, a concession would neces-
sa1-ly have to be granted in support
or the value of the practice, when the
work OF the common hen is taken into
consideration, for she is certainly a
productive source of income. OF course,
the statistics all come under the gen
eral head of poultry, and no mathe-
neatlcal attempt is made to separate
the fowls from that distinct branch Of
proht-the egg product. The hen at
tends to this line of business, and does
1t SO quietly and unobtrusively that
1t is difficult to keep tab on her op-
erations, though there are occasional
ly some light-headed ones among them
who give the thing away by indul-
gence in too enthusiastic and eX-
fuberant announcement of results in
the form of a cackle. But, then the
record proves that there is justifica-
ton for these occasional outbursts of
joy.
1T may be remarked that the hen is
just now getting in her best work; that
is to say, she is laying eggs with pro-
digious rapidity and bringing the prj-
ces down to very low standard. OF
course, she can only go so fast, and
the most persistent farmer or persua-
slVe farmers wife cannot force or in
duce her to do more than just so much.
She insists on a maximum of one egg
a day, and even at this rate She re-
CURES periodical rest from her la
bors.
Mime sofa is highly productive egg
section. The breeds that do the most
of the work are the Brahmas. the
Plymouth Rocks, the Buff Cochins and
the several Leghorn varieties. The
hens of this Aforementioned group ap-
pear to be the most amiable in the way
Of production. consequently their eggs
predominant in the market
The egg market is peculiar in some
respects, and its profitable conditions
are very often just what the producers
themselves make them. 1t is a well
known fact that the value of almost
everything is enhanced by the man.
ner in which it is offered for sale. This
is conSpicuously true of eggs. A pur-
chaser passing among market stalls is
apt to be attracted by appearances.
He might pause in front Of bulk of
freshly laid eggs, the dealer might
casually assure him of their freshness:
but if they were soiled and looked gen.
orally repulsive, from lack of proper
initial care, the probabilities are that
he would look suspiciously upon them
and pass on without even asking a
question or making a bid. At this sea-
son of the year some farmers are dis
posed to get their wares to market
without regard to appearances Hence
they pack them in salt, bran, oats, or
anything that can be utilized for the
purpose. The evidence of home care
lessness is often thus detected. They
nesting accommodations, and their re-