South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-17

size egg crates make ideal contain
ers for this purpose. While il is not
absolutely essential that they be
placed in this upright position, IL
brings the living germ against the
delicate membrane lining the egg
shell, and. in such position. il is
cushioned by the air cell in the
large end Of the egg.
Eggs should be stored in a room
in which the temperature does not
arise above 90 degrees f., as any
temperature higher than 6S or 20
degrees is apt to start incubation.
The egg should be turned each day
TO keep the germ from becoming
fastened in the one position. All
unnecessary rough handling should
be eliminated. for, while in many
cases it does no apparent harm, it
must be borne in mind that we are
dealing with a delicate living germ
which is expected TO grow into a
strong. healthy and vigorous chick.
All dirty or soiled eggs should be
avoided if possible. as the pores in
the shell of such eggs are closed
thus preventing the natural passage
of air through the shell TO the chick
germ. When washing eggs is neces-
sary il usually destroys the cuticle
covering the eggshell. which permits
of a TOO rapid evaporation of its
moisture. There is a certain fresh
ness or bloom in the fresh-laid egg
which should be preserved as long
as possible.
When the eggs are intended for
incubation it is necessary 10 keep
them in "A moderately dry room,
free from all obnoxious gases or
odors, if this bloom is TO be retain
ed. Where eggs must be kept for
more than a few days better results
may be obtained if they are turned
regularly each day. In warm
weather il is essential that the eggs
be kept in a place where the tenn
perature will not bring them above
SO degrees.
Packing Eggs For Shipment.
Rough handling of eggs is direct
~ responsible for many poor hatch
es but this may be readily overcome
where the eggs are TO be incub ated
at home. IL is a more serious mat
ter. however. TO insure eggs against
abuse where they are TO be sent 10
distant point for incubation. As in
the case at home IL is essential that
the living germ in the egg be pro-
tected from excessive changes in
temperature and shock. 1t becomes
necessary to resort TO methods of
accident due to careless handling
while enrOute.
Many failures in Matching are due
to lax methods in transportation.
even where the eggs have beer care
fully packed for shipment. The
package may be accidentally or
carelessly exposed 10 extreme heat
(by being placed against a radiator
or steam pipe) or exposed TO ex-
treme cold either enroute or at
either end OF the shipping points II
may be accidentally dropped or
otherwise subjected 10 rough hand
ling. In case of parcel post IL may
be thrown from the mai! cars to the
platform or knocked about as we
have seen other mail bags. All Of
these conditions must be considered
by both consignor and consignee.
When arranging 10 send Matching
eggs 10 distant points. there are
many excellent methods in practice
which have their advocates. and
have proven highly satisfactory. A
small splint basket lined with ex-
celsior and each egg wrapped indi-
vidually with excelsior and packed
with the points down SO that there
can be no movement. the whole
covered with a layer OF excelsior.
over which a muslin cover has been
stretched and stitched 10 the sides
Il the basket. has been in popular
use for many years. This method
protects the eggs from heat or cold
and the springiness Of the excelsior
absorbs the shock and vibration.