The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-11-26
Q Q o Q Q q Q . o Q Q . q
Especial to the Farm Magazine

Especial to the Farm Magazine.)
THE extent to which the heavy
importation Of Chinese eggs de-
moralizes the market for Oregon
eggs. will depend to a considerable
degree upon three factors-the quail
ity Of the Oregon egg that is put on
the market, the degree Of thorough
ness with which the laws governing
the sale Of Chinese eggs are en-
forced. and the degree of skill m
ployed in getting the Oregon egg
into the right place at the right
time. While there are numerous
other things that will determine
more or less the effect of the Chin
s competition, 1t is safe to say
that by a careful handling Of these
three main factors there should be
a reasonably satisfactory market for
the home grown egg notwithstanding
the influx Of the Oriental product.
In securing the proper quality Of
Oregon eggs a great many factors
are involved. Fortunately most, If
not all of these factors favorable to
good quality, are likewise favorable
to profitable egg and poultry pro-
duction in general. The flock must
be we'll fed, comfortably housed In
sanitary shelters, and in general
given such care o. will keep the
hens In good health. vigorous. and
contented. The two elements fire.
Quently lacking from the winter ra-
tons are animal foods and plenty
Of green vegetation. The animal
food element may be made up by
adding skim milk or buttermilk to
the ratons and by the use of COM
mercial beef scraps. Cleanliness is
q most essential element. The
grounds should be well drained so
that the flock can get about with
out having to wade through mud,
the nests and roosts should be kept
clean and busted with ashes or land
plaster, and the feed troughs and
vessels are to be kept free from all
fermented or decaying matter. A
careful observation Of these simple
matters will insure the quality OF
the product as laid by the hens.
Gather Eggs Daily.
In order to keep the product from
deteriorating, eggs should be gath
cred daily during the winter and
oftener in hot weather. They should
be taken from the nest with clean
hands and placed in a clean receipt
aele in which they r taken to q
cool, cleanly kept room for temper
airy storage. II all the nests are
visited daily and no eggs left as
nest eggs, Gambling will not be nee
essary. On the other hand if hidden
nests are found or hens eggs left as
nest eggs, Gambling is necessary in
order to separate the good eggs from
the bad. At any rate the eggs be-
fore being put on the market should
be graded as to size and properly
labeled for Identification. The brand
used for this Identification should
be 80 strictly guarded that 1t will
be accepted as a guaranty of strictly
fresh marketable eggs.
While the matter Of law enforce
ment as to the proper marketing Of
imported eggs offered in the public
market is not primarily a matter to
be attended to by the producers, It
Is, true that the producers may be
instrumental in having the law prop
erly observed. Oregon fortunately
has an energetic and fair-minded
dairy and food commissioner, and in
case any violations Of the market
laws are called to his attention by
responsible persons these violations
will no doubt receive from him
prompt and effective attention, and
this is certainly a vital point in
meeting the foreign competition.
There are doubtless very few persons
who will purchase, at least for their
own consumption, stale Chinese eggs
Of quality that most people at least
suspicion, when they can possibly
purchase even at much higher
prices, eggs Of known purity and
quality. 1t thus becomes very nee
essary that consumers know pre-
cisely what they are getting, In