The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-03-06
By MATHEW 5. DUDGEoN

The eggs must not only be fresh,
but they must look fresh. In some
cities, moreover, the people want
brown eggs; others will buy nothing
but pure white eggs. In some mar
kets the small eggs will sell almost as
well as large eggs. In others none
but the large ones need apply. In
some markets, too, In fact In most
markets, the eggs must not only be
fresh and look fresh, but they must
have a certificate OF character at
tached. This may take the form of
guaranty, or 1t may be simply the
brand, date or number of the associa-
ton itself. But the purchaser soon
learts not to buy eggs that are not
responsibility vouched for. This CO.
operative association also takes note
OF size In buying eggs and In selling.
They find that gradually the public
is appreciating that a dozen of big
fresh eggs are worth more than a
dozen small eggs-that pound and a
half of eggs is worth more than a
pound and a duarter. BY offering
more money for big eggs, they are in
ducing the producers to breed for
size of eggs as well as for number.
How the Irish Market Eggs.
We find here In Foynes a good IL
lustration of an egg marketing assoc
citation. 1t is representative of many
others like 1t. The association here
has built up a simple business system
that has accomplished three desired
things. First, the farmer delivers a
good quantity of good eggs; second,
| he gets good prices; third, the city
| man gets good eggs at a reasonable
price. Their system is not complex
one, 1t has no red tape about 1t, but
is simple. direct. common sense-a
system that would work in any vii
lage in America, provided only that
there were hens to lay the eggs.
UP to within the last decade rural
Ireland failed sadly of prosperity In
many sections the farms were too
small for extensive grain raising and
even for dairying. except upon very
small scale. Even the smallest farms,
however, had room upon them for
hens and hens did well In Ireland.
How II Was Organized and Operated.
The Irish Agricultural Organization
society is an association formed for
the purpose of helping rural commune
ties to organized their business and
marketing processes. Sir Horace
Pmnkett, an agricultural statesman
II there ever was one, is at the head
l. nf Nv Do
covered that in the neighborhood OF
Foynes there were many hens, but
that the farmers were getting little
profit from them because the eggs
were not hurried to market speedily
enough, were not tested and were not
graded and, consequently, the farmer
received very low price for his eggs.
Many cities on the other hand were
suffering because they were getting
poor eggs. So 1t was suggested that
cooperative egg buying association
be formed at Foynes. A man who un.
derstood the marketing of eggs as
we'll as the testing of eggs and some
thing of the raising OF chickens and
poultry was put in charge OF the or
L tAhA1atAOA anu a blltdIi btOKS Wds
rented. The farmer was required to
deliver eggs three times every week
He must gather every egg from the
nest the day 1t was laid. His nest:
must be kept clean. He must keel
the eggs when gathered in a COO
place. He must bring in his eggs OF
certain day when 1t was arranged
to have enough eggs from other farm
: ers brought in to make a fair sized
shipment
The eggs after having been teste,
we're graded as to size and color anc
the man who had been placed ii
charge shipped them to marke
known 70 him, guaranteeing them Il
be strictly fresh, calling attention q
the grading which had been done
The farmers were surprised 10 fin'
that price several cents higher thar
& that which they had previously oil
; tanned for eggs raised In that CON
3 r9unlfy wag al once paid, and tina
r consequently their eggs were bringin
6 tEsm more than they had ever brough
. them before. When the farmer delit
2 cred the eggs he Nas not 1T first pal
, ~ cash. he simply became DaTtne
$ win ne others IN the marketing yer
!. tsFs, Later IL bseams tbs DraGtic