Middletown transcript., 1915-05-08
COOPERATIVE EGG CIRCLES

careless marketing of eggs in outlined
in Farmers Bulletin 656.
"The Community Egg Circle" which
has just been published by the depart
ment. 1t is estimated that under the
present haphazard methods of gathering
and marketing eggs nearly 8per cent
of the country's output is total loss.
Since the annual production of poultry
and eggs in the United States is valued
at more the $500, 900, ,000-a sum equal
to the value of the hay or wheat crop
the Importance of reducing this loss
is obvious.
The Individual farmer too often re-
CARDS his eggs as a mere by-product
to which it is hardly worth his while to
devote himself seriously; in consequence
he Is inclined both to neglect his poultry
and to gather his eggs whenever he
happens to have spare moment or two.
In consequence the output of his
poultry yard is not only small to begin
with, but large proportion of it has
begun to spoil before it reaches the
hands of the country merchants. They
usually buy the eggs on lease count, "
paying the same price for good, bad,
and Indifferent. The large markets,
however, do not pay the same price and
reject many altogether; in consequence
the price per egg to the farmer is made
sufficiently low to provide a safe margin
and to cover the loss on eggs of poor
quality.
Tha conditions have been so firmly
established by long usage that the in
dividual can do little to alter them un-
aided. Community cooperation, how
! ever, can quickly raise the standard of
of the eggs shipped from any one
neighborhood, and with the standard
the price. The fancy trade is, quite
willing to pay more for a guaranteed
article and the extra cost of producing
the guaranteed article is more in pains
than in cash.
The plan outlined in the bulletin al
ready mentioned calls for the organiza-
ton of community egg circle which
should include as soon as possible
enough members to warrant the en-
ployment of a manager. Each mem.
ber agrees to gather his eggs daily anc
in hot weather twice day, to keeT
them in a cold place, and to deliver
none that is more than days old. NJ
eggs are to be washed, and the male
bird is to be kept away from the flocl
except during the mating season.
The manager of the circle inspects
grades, and markets as a whole thu
deliveries the members make to him
Payment is made to the members il
/ proportion to the number of eggs o
each grade that they deliver and th'
5 prevailing market prices, less their pro
portion of the necessary expenses
The bulletin also gives suggestions fo
convenient receipt forms which will en-
able the members to check up thei
payments with their deliveries.
Such system will enable the circl
to make arrangements for the deliver
of regular supplies to the best and mos
! discriminating class of trade. There
always demand for guaranteed egg
on the partof clubs, hotels, restaurants
and even well-to-do private families
but the individual farmer rarely has
\ sufficient output to enable him to max
a contract with any of these consumers
c and the country merchant has no mean
! to guarantee to the consumer the egg
: that he buys from individuals owe
n whom he has no control. Cooperativ
d marketing also enables the eggs to b
o put up in attractive cartons, which ca
l. be turned into valuable mediums of az
g vertising and reduces the expense {
IS shipments. The increased returns
IS furthermore, will encourage the pr,
10 ducer to devote more time and care
his stock, better hens will be KEEP
they will be kept in better condition
le and in consequence there will be MOI
IN eggs as well as better ones to marke