The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-06-19
PLAN TO REDUCE BIG WASTE
Community Groups Recommended BY
Agricultural Department to In
crease Quality of Eggs.


A cooperative plan to reduce the
enormous waste now caused by the
careless marketing of eggs is outlined
In Farmers Bulletin Csc, THE Com
munity Egg Circle" which has just
been published by the United States
department of agriculture. 1t is esti-
mated that under the present haphaz-
ard methods of gathering and market
ing eggs nearly eight per 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 than 100000, 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 mere by-product to
which it is hardly worth his while to
devote himself seriously; in conse-
quence he is inclined both to neglect
his poultry and to gather his eggs
whenever he happens to have a spare
moment or two. In consequence the
output of his poultry yard is not only
small to begin with. but large pro-
portion of it has begun to spoil before
it reaches the hands OF the country
merchants. They usually buy the eggs
on case count" paying the same price
for good, bad and Indifferent. The
large markets, however. do not pay
the same price and reject many alto
getber; in consequence the price per
egg to the farmer is made sufficiently
low to provide safe margin and to
cover the loss on eggs of poor quality.
These conditions have been so firm
ly established by long usage that the
individual can do little to alter them
unaided. Community cooperation,
however can quickly raise the stand
ard 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 organi'
zation of a community egg circle
which should include as soon as pos
sible enough members OF warrant the
employment Of a manager. Each mem
Der agrees to gather his eggs daily and
in hot weather twice a day, to keeI
them in a cold place. and to deliver
none that is more than seven days old
No eggs are to be washed, and the
male bird is to be kept away from the
flock except during the mating sea
son.
The manager of the circle inspects
grades and markets as whole the de
liveries the members make to him
Payment is made to the members In
proportion to the number Of eggs o.
each grade that they deliver and thu
prevailing market prices. less theil
proportion Of the necessary expenses
The bulletin also gives suggestions TO
convenient receipt forms which will
enable the members to check up thei
payments with their deliveries.
Such a system will enable the circle
to make arrangements for the deliver!
of regular supplies to the best ant
most discriminating class Of trade
There is always q demand for guaran
teed eggs on the part of clubs, hotels
, restaurants, and even well-to-do pr
vate families, but the individual farm
, er rarely has a sufficient output to en-
able him to make contract with an,
? of these consumers. and the countr
merchant has no means to guarante
| to the consumer the eggs that he buy
= from individuals over whom he has n
a control. Cooperative marketing ais
I enables the eggs to be put up in a
. tractive cartons. which can be turne
into valuable mediums of advertiser
). and reduce the expense Of shipment.
!, The increased returns, Furthermore
!. will encourage the producer to devot
|, more time and care to his stock, be
. ter hens will be kept, they will be keI
: in better condition, and in consequence
!, there will be more eggs as well q
better ones to market.