The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-06-18

additional weight Of the wrapping and
eontainer, would make package Of a
dozen eggs weigh between two and
three pounds. The postage on this
would be cents. II another dozen
eggs were included in the package the
postage would not be more than .
cents, or al instead Of Z cents dozen
eggs.
To the value Of the eggs and the
cost Of postage must be added the cost
Of the container and the wrapping
For two dozen eggs this may be esti-
mated at cents. With postage at 2
cents, il would, therefore, cost II
cents to market two dozen eggs, or
So cents dozen. By shipping in 10
dozen lots, il is estimated that the
marketing cost can be reduced TO a.
cents dozen.
Where the container can be used
more than once, this cost can Of course
be somewhat reduced. Large sized
containers will stand from two to four
trips, smaller ones three to five, so
that it will pay the producer to induce
his customer to return the containers
periodically. The postage required for
this is Of course deducted from the bill
for the next shipment.
Although ii is obviously advantage
Gus both to the producer and consumer
that the eggs be shipped in large
quantities and consequently economi-
cally, it must be remembered in tax
ing orders that the supply Of eggs
undergoes the greatest huctuation. In
times of scarcity it is not good policy
for the producer to send all his output
to one customer, neglecting his other
friends, nor in times of plenty can he
expect to dispose of his entire stock
to his regular customers. THESE
points must be given due considera.
ton and the quantities that are TO be
supplied at each season of the year
carefully stated in the contract. The
price, too, varies with the supply. One
good method of determining this is to
take as basis the wholesale price of
eggs on the open market and add TO
this certain number of cents a dozen
for the new-laid parcel post eggs. Care
should be taken, however, to see that
there is no possibility of any misun-
derstanding arising in regard to the
basic price. To obviate this, the quo
tations published in a given newspap-
er or some other similar authority
may be accepted.
Eggs are scarcest and highest in
the fall. Chickens should therefore,
be Matched early enough to begin lay
ing at this season. Moreover, little
difficulty will be experienced then in
disposing of the entire output and it
will in consequence be Improbable to
divert any of the supply to home pur-
poses. This difficulty can be overcome
by preserving eggs in the spring,
when they are plentiful and cheap.
A solution Of water glass, which can
be obtained at drug stores for rs cents
a gallon, should be used for this pur-
pose, each quart being diluted with 10
quarts of water which has been boiled
and cooled. The eggs should be pack
ed in stone jars or crooks and the solu-
ton poured over them, or they may be
placed in the solution each
day. Eggs kept in this way are per
fectly good but naturally they do not
the prices of those newly
laid. The shells sometimes break in
boiling, but this may be avoided by
puncturing the end with pin just
before they are dropped into the
water.
The only drawback to marketing
eggs by parcel post appears to be the
time and trouble involved in packing
them. This is compensated for by the
extra price that can always be obtain
ed for products that are absolutely
shippers success depends upon the
care with which he safeguards the
reputation of his products. Satisfied
customers will soon build up his bust
ness for him. Any Post Office will
furnish complete information in re
gard to regulations and rates, and, as
already stated, the several State Ex-
pertinent stations have information in
regard to the various types Of ship
ping boxes. The results OF the U. s.
investigation Of the
matter have been published in Farm
,rs' Bulletin 594, Of the Department
If Agriculture, which will be sent free
IN request.