Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-13
STATE CRUSADING
ON ANCIENT EGGS
Food Commissioner Begins
Campaign of Interest to
Farmer and Consumer.

Chicago. ILL.,, May 1S.-By making
a ruling that a bad egg, either rot
ten" or spot" is decayed FOOD such
as is prohibited by law, that anyone
having 1t In his possession or selling
it is liable to prosecution and impris-
onment, the state food commissioner
w. Scott Matthews, has begun a cru
SADIE which is of vital interest both to
the farmer and to the consumer OIL
eggs.
Mr.. Matthews has prepared bull
letin of which more than 100000 cop
lies will be distributed to farmers and
egg dealers. He gives fair warning OF
his intention to make examples OF per-
sons who insist in selling bad eggs af-
ter they have been informed that such
conduct is a violation of the state
law. He advises all dealers to pro-
tect themselves by Gambling the eggs
offered to them by farmers, and ad-
vises the farmer to take pains to gath
er his eggs for market in such way
as to prevent spelling and their rejec-
ton in the Gambling process.
The bulletin advises egg buyers to
candle all eggs and buy only on loss
off basis and to return all bad eggs to
the farmer. Retailers are advised to
buy only properly graded eggs and not
to misrepresent them to the purchas-
ers All persons handling eggs are
given advice as to the proper methods
in storing them and keeping them
away from all odorous substances,
such as kerosene oil, fish, decayed
vegetables, etc. The housewife is ad-
vised to insist upon a guarantee OF
eggs from the retailer.
The commissioner considers Illinois
to be the second largest egg producing
state in the country. I'VE produced
last year eggs to the value of s45.OO0,-
600. with but a loss of S5,500.000, due
TO improper care in handling" he
writes in the bulletin. 81 believe that
by carrying out the instructions here
given much of this will be prevented
and Illinois will soon have reputa-
tion for good eggs.
Uncertainty as to the wholesome
ness OF egg supply is the principal rea-
son why the farmer is unable at times
to get a satisfactory price for his
eggs. Should the purchaser OF eggs
be sure of getting twelve sound eggs
in each dozen purchased the price
which the farmer receives for them
would be advanced and the produc-
tion of eggs on the farm would become
paying proposition.
II believe that the quality of eggs
sold in this state can be greatly i'm
proved without placing any unneces-
sary burden upon the producer. Many
bad eggs reach the market as the re-
suit of unintelligent and careless gath
ering and handling. This condition
the commissioner wishes to correct
by recommending proper methods of
handling; and is the purpose of this
bulletin.
There are men who through indif-
ference or knowingly defraud the pur-
chaser by selling bad eggs. With
such people the commissioner has no
patience, but will call their. attention
to the following section of the Illinois
food and dairy law. which reads:
"'Section s. An article shall be
deemed to be adulterated 90 if it con-
sists in whole or in part of filthy
decomposed or putrid, infected, faint
ed or rotten animal or vegetable SUBJ
stance"
The sale of rotten or spot eggs is
therefore prohibited.
The farmer. country merchant,
Wholesale dealer or retailer Offering
such eggs for sale or having them in
his possession with intent to sell, vio-
lates this section of the law. Each is
subject to the same penalty.
The commissioner wishes to make
the following recommendations for the
betterment of the egg supply
RpPOnm datinDs IN the 70
Produce only infertile eggs for mar
ket as they do not spoil so easily as
fertile ones.
Dispose of the roosters as soon as
the eggs needed for Matching are OBJ
tanned. The eggs keep better and the
hens will lay just as many of them.
Provide plenty of clean nests with
clean straw in them.
Gather eggs twice daily In hot
weather and store them in a cool.
sweet, we'll ventilated place but do |
not store where damp.
Do not wash eggs.
Market eggs as often as possible and !
carry them gently.
Do not sell eggs from stolen nests.
Use them at home.
Protect eggs from the sun when tax. |
ing them TO market. Eggs exposed to |
hot sunshine for one hour will spoil; |
this applies 10 infertile as well as fer
tile eggs.
Insist upon having your eggs can
died by the purchaser so that he may
know that he is buying good eggs and |
pay accordingly. You will thus reap
the advantage for the care you have
given them.
Innan1matory rheumatism Quickly |
Relieved.