The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-22
POULTRY PRODUCT
Some Suggestions as to How to
Preserve Hen Froit
the LOSSES ARE HEAVY
Department of Agriculture issues a
4 Bulletin of Value to Raisers
. of fowls

Press article from the Bureau of Ami
NAL Industry, U. S. Department Of
Agriculture. A. d. Melvin, Chief
of Bureau.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 7th
The Bureau of Animal Industry of the
Department of Agriculture has just
issued circular by Milo NJ. Hastings
presenting the result of study made
during the past year of the conditions
surrounding the production and
marketing of eggs, with view to de-
termining the causes of deterioration
in quality and consequent loss. 1t
appears that there is an enormous loss
due to the spelling of eggs, which
could be largely prevented by improv-
ed methods, and in this article the
causes of>such loss are pointed out
and suggestions made for remedying
them.
According to Mr.. Hastings, the bulk
of the poultry wealth of the United
States is to be found on the general
farms of the Mississippi Valley. Some
idea of the growth of the poultry in
dustry on these general farms is shown
in the case of Kansas, where exclu-
sive poultry farms are practically un-
known, yet the value of poultry and
eggs sold has increased over a million
dollars each a year for the past five
years.
The total loss to the egg trade caus-
ed by needless deterioration runs into
large figures. The causes of the loss
es and their estimated proportion to
the total crop value are summed up
as follows: dirty eggs, 2 per cent;
breakage, 2 per cent; chick develop
ment or heated eggs, 5 per cent;
shrunken or held eggs, 5 per cent;
rotton eggs, 2.5 per cent; moldy or
bad flavor, 0. 5 per cent; total, II per
cent. 80 ...-.
The loss from chick development or
heated eggs is probably greater than
from any other source, and is espec-
tally heavy during the summer in the
South and West, where it amounts to
Is or 80 per cent of the eggs produced
during the heated season. The re-
sponsibility for heated eggs is almost
wholly with the farmer, although the
rural buyer and the freight handler
are in nowise innocent. ~. - e.a
ITO save the millions of dollars
which are carried down our sewers in
the shape of bad eggs, "says Mr.. Hast
ings, 1--WE must have, first, a campaign
of education among egg producers that
will show every farmers wife that
when eggs are allowed to remain in
damp nests, under broody hens, or in
hot kitchens there is a loss in quality
which means an actual loss in money
to herself and to her neighbors; and
secondly, system of buying eggs that
will as nearly as possible recompense
every producer who sells eggs exactly
in accordance with what those eggs
worth. Above all else, the infallible
rule concerning the marketing or eggs
is for the farmer to sell his eggs as
soon as possible after they are laid"
The profits Of the city retailer are
by far the largest item in the market
ing of eggs. An approximate idea of
the profits of the various handlers of
eggs may be obtained from the follow
ing figures showing the elements Of
cost OF a dozen eggs purchased by a
New York consumer:
'.... Cents
Paid to the farmer in Iowa, .. rs
Profit of the country store, ...... 0
Gross profit of the shipper. go. rs
Freight to New York, i IS
Gross Profit to receiver, ......... IS
Gross prof to jobber, ........... 1.25
Loss from Gambling, ng,.............. l.5
Gross profit of retailer. r,.......... As
Cost to consumer, ,................52 .52
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