Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-22

natural producing season, and weather
conditions are such that all poultry
flocks are laying heavily.
The problem of the housewife is to
secure eggs during the winter at a
price that is reasonable, and there are
but two ways to do this: either to buy
cold storage eggs, or to preserve ones
own supply at time when they are
cheap.
nLACING eggs in cold storage is
practiced extensively each year
by large wholesale dealers. They
buy eggs at from seventeen to twenty
two cents per dozen in April, with the
idea that they will be sold during the
period of high prices in November,
December and January. Such eggs
are of good quality If properly stored
and handled, but often the quality is
questionable by the time they reach
the ultimate consumer. This practice
of cold storage is, however, a very ma
terial advantage to both producer and
consumer, for 1t acts as a balance
regulating the supply and demand. If
it were not for this supply of storage
eggs in winter, the housewife could
not buy eggs for any amount of
money. Likewise, in the Spring, if it
were not for the demand for storage
purposes, the producer would not find
it profitable to ship his eggs because
the prices would be so low The pres
ervation of eggs for home use will do
much to insure quality at reasonable
prices.
Water Glass Preservation
Water glass, or sodium silicate is
probably the most satisfactory mate
rial to use for home preservation.
The only articles needed for this prac-
tice are as follows: stone or earthen-
ware crooks, a supply of sodium sill
cate or water glass, and strictly fresh
eggs, good quality eggs. Earthen-
ware crooks with covers, holding
about four gallons each, can be Sc
cured at a cost of seventy cents each
Crooks of this size will preserve about
ten dozen eggs each. Smaller crooks
can be used for a smaller quantity OF
eggs, but there is no advantage in hav-
ing smaller utensil, as the eggs can
be taken as needed from the larger
crock, and they can he preserved
gradually, simply by adding more So
luton as additional eggs are placed
in the crock. Strictly fresh high
grade eggs. however, are vital to the
success of the work
Securing the Eggs For Preserving
The best plan Is to arrange with
some reliable poultryman to supply
these eggs. If large numbers are tC
be preserved, lneN SnOulu ne DOnRnl
by the crate. 1t is usually possible foI
number of families to cooperate
and in this way secure an excellent
supply at reasonable prices.
Eggs can he secured by contract al
about % cents per dozen in case lots
during April. A price of cents above
wholesale quotations is usually made
If the poultryman is to produce infer
tile eggs and guarantee clean, fresh
uniform eggs.
InfertiIe Eggs Are Best
Infertile eggs are superior to fertile
ones for preserving. for a number OF
reasons; they do not hatch, nor will
they ever contain a developed germ
they Withstand heat we'll and beal
shipment with little danger of injury
they are slow to decay and are nj
more costly than fertile eggs.
When purchasing eggs for preserva,
tion. If infertile eggs are guaranteed
the purchaser should break an. egg ol
two and by examining the yolk one
can he sure that the quality for which
an extra price is being paid, is pres
ent Freshness is one of the most i'm
| portant requirements. The age o1
| freshness of the egg can he detectef
nv Gambling and studying the size q
the air cell. Strictly fresh eggs suit
| hle for preservation should contai II
air cells that are very small. Th,
I cell should not he more than one-h hal
an inch across. and not more thar
one-eighth Of an inch in depth. Egg
which have large air cells. as deter
! mined by the candle, show that the,