Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-20
THE POULTRY YARD
ARE EGGS TO BECOME LUXURY?
BY ED WEBER
BY ED WEBER

Shall eggs remain a regular article
of diet, or are they to become in price
beyond the reach of the ordinary
housekeeper? Prices are rising which
10 the majority, of people, means limi-
tations of purchasing power. 1t is an
economic axiom that an advance OF
prices, save in what may be regarded
as absolute necessities, is followed by
reduction of consumption. Nor can il
be otherwise. There is a limit beyond
which we can not go. Such needs only
TO be stated to find acceptance.
Traders tell US that every advance Of
5 cents per dozen for eggs is followed
by a corresponding dim:nution in the
saie or a transference TO lower grades,
or both That is a fact of every day
experience and more especially when
ether commodities are also rising in
values. 1t is unnecessary TO give fig
ures showing the advance in prices of
Gags Such is found to he the case
everywhere. at home and abroad, with
foreign and native produce. Perhaps
the Americans are suffering less than
are others. but it is 10 satisfaction to
him when he has to pay more by 25
per cent for the same quality as before.
Ills t"li ppCrAsL - "iiGtA q t'ptciiS ~ INN
Producers like high prices It is nat
ural they should. That is legitimate.
and up to a point desirable But there
is a limit. 1t is to the producers hest
interest to stimulate consumption.
from which greater demand will arise.
That, however, will be checked if
prices are unduly advanced.
There are two ways Of attaining en-
HANGED returns. First and foremost. b.
improving quality. by improved meth
proving the quality. by improved meth
DDS OF production, and by more eNpe-
ditious marketing. so that the lower
grades are raised into a higher rank.
wherein prices are better. That is
what we have striven for during the
last dozen years, and with a consider
able amount OF success.
The second IS by forcing up prices
which are already high enough, the
main result of which is to reduce con-
sumption and demand. 1t is the for
mer we should promote rather than
the latter.
Increase Winter Supply.
The advantages our people have with
perishable products like eggs are so
great that they can practically control
the new-laid egg market when they
take the trouble to outdistance their
rivals. All such ideas, such as mark
ing Of foreign eggs that are advocated
are In order to set up a fictitious value,
and to obtain money for qualities that
are often absent. 1t is freshness and
fullness and favor we pay for, no mat
ter where the egg is laid.
If poultrykeepers could increase the
winter output OF eggs, so that the re-
tail price was never more than %
cents per dozen. and even that merely
for a week or two. the enhanced con-
sumption would make the business
more profitable to them. The fact OF
prices being high is of no benefit to the
man who has nothing to sell. That the
cost OF production has increased is
UNREASONABLE. owing to the rise in
price OF toodstuf1s. But It IS more than
compensated by the increased returns.
Seek Less Expensive Feed.
Where methods adapted are salts
factory but, unfortunately such is not
generally true, the industry was never
more profitable than at present. What
we have to seek for are newer foods
and less wasteful systems Of feeding,
improved methods Of MANAGEMENT.
greater average production from the
individual hen and reduction Of inter
mediate expenses in marketing with