The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-03
PHILLIPS TELLS OF
MARKETING OF EGGS
Purdue Expert Gives Opin-
ion on Very Much Ag-
itated Question.
BY A. G. PHILIPS.


has been considerable agitation late
ly concerning the present methods
that have been suggested for market
ing eggs. Buyers and grocers have
been complaining, as have also many
farmers and producers, each claiming
that the other one is not playing fair,
and that they must therefore fall back
to the old method of buying eggs
case count" OF at the rate of SO much
per dozen, regardless of quality.
People Have Wrong Attitude.
This is an entirely wrong attitude
to take and by looking at it from this
standpoint there will never be any i'm
provement in the Indiana market egg.
There has never been any change of
any kind in the history of the world
that was not objected to by some one,
and it generally took some time be-
fore everyone could look at it from the
same view point.
If everyone interested in the buy
ing and selling of eggs would remem-
Der that there is only one fair way to
buy and sell eggs, a years experience
would show that it is just as easy to
buy and sell on a loss off, or grading
basis, as by any other method.
Years ago cream was bought with
tenn is universally used. The change
from the old to new way caused OBJ
jections to be raised by some people,
but now both producer and buyer
seem satisfied with this method.
Farmers Lose Money.
Figures and statistics seem to show
that about II per cent. of the eggs
brought upon the Indiana market are
not the best grade of eggs, but are
rotten, stale, dirty, small, cracked, etc,
meaning a loss, of around two million
dollars. This loss is paid by the farm
er. A loss anywhere near this amount
compels an improvement in our pre-
sent methods of marketing, and con-
sequently those interested in better
eggs have been advocating and hoping
for a system of grading.
Many buyers of eggs claim that the
farmer or producer objects to his
Gambling out, and either returning or
placing as seconds. all eggs that are
not fresh, clean, full, good sized, and
sound. Any buyer that will do this is
doing what is not only fair, but also
right. This statement can be looked
at from three standpoints.
Grading Is a Fair Method.
The first standpoint is that of the
law which prohibits anyone from sell
ing bad eggs. In order that the
small or large buyer shall prevent
having on his hands, eggs unfit for
food, he must keep from buying them
in the first place. The one way for
him to be sure of this fact is to can
die them.
The second standpoint is that of
fair dealing, honesty, and desire to
provide for the consumer an article
that is first class. Many producers
of foodstuffs forget that the health OF
the people depends upon the quality
Of their produce.
The third standpoint is the finan.
cial one. 1t is impossible for the hon
est farmer to make more from his
eggs at lease count prices than with
loss off" prices. The reason for this
is that the buyer when submitting a
lease count" price, figured on the per
cent of undesirable eggs that will
come in, and consequently quotes the
price low enough to meet this loss
Thus the man with all fresh eggs is
compelled to take the same price as
| the man who sells some undesirable
ones. LOSS off, prices range from &c
to &c above case count" prices, and il
a farmer kept $50 hens which pro
duced an average of 100 eggs per hen
per year, an increase of &c per dozen
would mean an added profit of s25
| yer year.
Need No Consideration.
| The dishonest farmer who has been
bringing to the market eggs found in
ETC., does not need any consideration
from the buyer or inspector. In the
past farmers have asked for an incen
tive to sell good eggs only, and with
the chance now partially offered, they
should grasp at it and endeayor to
help improve conditions. During the
past many producers have been in the
habit of bringing, unthinkingly, all the
eggs that they did not eat or hatch
They received something for these
and to have some of them turned bach
as undesirable, makes them feel dis
satisfied. Honest producers who dc
this, do it unthinkingly. and in time
will he willing to help the willing buy
err or compel the unwilling one.
Marketing the Eggs.
1t is not necessary to candle good
eggs, before taking them to market
If they have been given every possible
care. there need be no necessity, BY
the farmer, to take the time to tes
them, before sending them to market
In summer time all eggs marketed
should be infertile Such a condi
ton can only exist after the males
have been removed from the flocks
All houses and nests should be clean
/ The eggs should be kept in cool, clean
dry places, and placed there immedi
ately after gathering.
| If the weather is extremely hot the,
Il