The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-01-30

the price Of eggs instead of being
four to six cents below the figures
quoted in the nearest city markets is
now two to four cents higher than
there. 1t Is all simple and we see
no reason why the entire plan cannot
be used in any American village and
the results duplicated.
Expert knowledge Necessary.
The association did not rush into
the egg business without preparation.
Patrick Gallagher, the manager of the
society, after he had made begin
ming with the society, felt the need
of more expert knowledge. He went
to the Dunboe Cooperative society
and here he gained thorough knowl-
edge of packing and dealing in eggs
and poultry, and also learned co
operative bookkeeping and the gen.
eral business methods followed by
that society. Up to this time Mr..
Gallagher had given his services to
the society gratis. He was now en-
ployed at rs cents per day. The So
cietyss eggs were now handled ac-
cording to the most improved method,
and good market found for them, so
that the society was able to compete
on favorable terms with the local buy
ers. The result was that the price
offered for eggs by the other buyers
throughout the entire district imme-
diately rose and all egg producers
profited.
The association, after giving careful
consideration of the question of buy
ing eggs by weight, decided to give
it trial, being convinced that it is
not only fair to those bringing in the
larger eggs. but that it is the best,
and In fact the only inducement to
the rearing of an improved breed Of
fowl laying the larger eggs. Old Gus
toms die hard. and many of the mem
bers looked askance at the novel meth
cd Of calculating the price of their
goods. But on the whole it has found
favor. There is already a marked i'm
prOvement in the size of the eggs
throughout the district and there is
every reason to expect that the pro-
duction of larger eggs in the district
may cause eggs to become a much
greater source of income in the future.
The association has also supplied its
poultry station with trap nests, SO
that members will be able to procure
the eggs of the best laying strains.
AS an instance Of what might be
achieved in this direction. the society
has received this year for 18-pound
eggs the record price of 30 cents per
dozen. Those eggs were,-of course.
picked from amcng a large quantity
and sold when prices were highest;
still it is very striking example of
what may be gained by a careful Sc
lection Of layers. The fact that the
Templecrone eggs gained third place
at the Sheffield poultry exhibition held
this year, and second place at the
Bristol exhibition, shows that Mr.. Gal
lagher is doing his part in building
up reputation for them.
Quality the Big Thing.
The fact must not be ignored, how
ever. that the results are obtained not
altogether by good business manage
ment in the marketing. Higher prices
prevail not only because the eggs are
sent promptly to good market, but
because the eggs are actually the eggs
Of the highest possible grade, and are
sorted in such, q way as to form an
attractive and profitable article OF
commerce for the retail dealer who
purchases from the marketing asso-
citation. In other words it has been
demonstrated that good marketing can
only succeed where the eggs them
selves are good. Quality is Of pri-
mary Importance.
The first point to be considered is
the outward appearance of the eggs.
Dirty or cracked eggs are always re-