The Penn's Grove record., 1903-04-03
Working UP a Private Trade.

Working up a private egg trade is not
as difficult as it may seem. Every large
town and most small ones contain people
who will gladly pay more than the mar
ket price for fresh eggs delivered each
week the year round. The extra price
to be obtained will depend, Of course,
upon the wealth Of the customer. The
larger the city, Oh, rather, the richer
the people in the city, the higher the
price that can be charged. Generally
this should be from five to ten cents
a dozen more than the highest whole
sale price in that city. Where eggs
must be sent by express, we find it
more satisfactory to let the customer
getting the eggs pay the express
charges, and it saves a lot Of work
making change and keeping the ac-
counts; and there is also less trouble
about breakage. because the one who
suffers loss can deal with the one re-
sponsible for the breakage first handed.
1t is well to start in by making q
personal visit or writing a letter, or
sending a circular stating price and
quality of eggs, and guaranteeing the
eggs to be new laid, perfectly spotless
and clean, and agreeing to deliver a
certain number each week. How to
live up to the latter part Of the contract
is another story. 1t will be discussed
later. The contract may be in the
form Of a letter, of which both parties
should have a copy. This will often
save many a misunderstanding.
A good article is worthy of a neat
package. There is a whole lot in ap-
pearances, especially in eggs. Eggs are
known by the company they keep, the
same as people, and also by the coats
they wear. Therefore It will pay to
ship eggs In neat, attractive crates.
These need not be expensive. We
make our own. My partner, Mr.. White,
is handy with tools. He takes one-half
inch pine ceiling and makes crates that
are multiples of three dozen, !. e., six
dozen, nine dozen, twelve dozen, fifteen
dozen, eighteen dozen and thirty dozen.
We also like to give the fowls credit
for their good work, and therefore stem
Gil on Strictly fancy White Leghorn
eggs" and then our guarantee, Every
one a good one" This is put ON both
top and ends, so that 1t can be seer
more readily.
1t looks businesslike, and also lessons
the chances of the crates being lost
or stolen. After stencilling, the crates
are vanished, which, over the natural
wood, looks much neater than paint.
If they get dirty rubbing them over
with a wet cloth and then with oil
keeps them bright and clean. They are
In violent contrast with some rickety
boxes that l have seen go to market
made out Of old crates, untidy and un-
painted. Eggs in such crates are con-
demned on sight, even though they
may be perfectly fresh.
AS a last finishing touch, it will pay
to get a paddock with two keys for
each crate, one Of which should be
sent to the customer. They cost us
only ten cents each. Why do this !
Oh, just for style. 1t pays. Any danger
of having eggs stolen if unlocked? Pos.
| sibly, but no great risk. We do it sim.
ply for appearances. Most any one
would give a cent a dozen more just ia
have their neighbors see that they have
| eggs come by express each week from
the country with a paddock on The
box.
Important as are all these things
the all important consideration is te
always give good goods-to be prompt
and regular. New customers will Their
come without soliciting. Truly eve
are advertised by our loving friends
"The best advertiser is a pleased Gus
tolner.'-James E. Rice, in New Yorl
Tribune Farmer.