Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-06

II Spotted.
that are really tip top. Where can
they be shown more conclusively than
at an egg show?
Bring Producer and Consumer To-
gether.
There Is necessity of education on
both sides. The farmer fails to pro-
duce eggs of first quality for two rea-
sons. In the first place he doesn't
know how. But more important still
he thinks there is no demand for a
better product. The consumer, on the
other hand, takes the eggs that are
given him because he in turn doesn't
know any better. He isn't aware that
there is anything better to be had.
There is the greatest need of the
producer and consumer getting &C.
quainted and finding out what the
other wants and has. Where could
this be done more quickly and easily
than at egg shows? Not a single big
show, but many smaller ones through
out the state.
WYNN NoNS SSttJCSiSiSIl tNSSIs
The present competition between
the breeds and varieties of chickens
Is largely confined to the fancy points,
as beauty of marking or elegance of
type and carriage In the Saturday
Evening Post recently noticed an
advertisement by the Holstein-Freisian
association setting forth the merits Of
Holstein COWS. There was nothing
said about their size or color mark
ings. Instead the emphasis was put
upon the fact that the fat globules in
Holstein milk are much smaller than
those found in the milk of other
breeds and are therefore more easily
digested turned over page and
there was an advertisement of the
American Guernsey Cattle club. They
had nothing to say about the beautiful
fawn color or the attractive type OF
the Guernsey cow Instead they were
harping on the fact that the butter
from Guernsey is so highly colored
that no artificial coloring matter is
needed as in the case of other breeds.
In both cases utility points were en-
phasized. This does not injure the
COW for showyard purposes. 1t does
bring before the public the things
they are interested in.
Every breed of chickens lays eggs
that are peculiarly and characteris-
tically its own Some are white,
some light and some dark brown.
Some are more even in color than
others, some are larger, some are
more uniform in shape, some have
shells that are too delicate. some too
tough, some just right, some have
lots OF bloom, some are shiny, some
are rough and freckled and some are
smooth and even. These are the
things the great American public ts
anxious to know. They care little
about the type or color or the prizes
the hen that laid the eggs may have
won. It's the egg itself they are in.
terested in. Stimulate the demand
for the product of any breed and the
demand for the breed will take care
of itself. When this fact is realized
BY the breeders and these facts are
really put before the public there will
be an improvement of the breeds. and
increase in business and a healthy
competition between breeders that
has hardly been dreamed Of
What an Egg Show Should Show.
The premium list of first-class
egg show should include classes for
all breeds and varieties of poultry
whose eggs are sold upon the open
market. Besides there should be
classes for white eggs. dark brown
light brown, duck. goose, turkey eggs,
etc These classes should be judged
according to their weight, shape. uni
formity of size, shape and color. shell
texture. and condition and quality
The last named should be valued at
at least 40 in a scale Of 100. 1t is the
quality that holds the trade.
BY way of adding interest special
prizes might be offered for the larg.
est turkey egg. the smallest hen egg,
the smallest egg of any bird, etc,
Then there should be prizes for the
best displays, showing methods OF
production. packing. shipping and
marketing. Displays of dressed poul.
try could be made and eventually
classes for the different breeds put in
the premium list. New ways OF
dressing and drawing as we'll as bon.
ing birds should have place, and q
picking contest would add interest
Exhibits of shipping crates. poultry
boxes, laying houses, egg cartons,
shipping refrigerators for fancy trade.
the market grades of eggs, and egg
crate machines would be of interest
and great educational value.
Egg shows in Iowa would mean
more money for eggs. better eggs,
new methods. greater consumption.
more people in the poultry business
and an impetus @ 'ha ,ul'ry bust.
ness all alons lie