The Vashon Island record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1916-1919, 1919-02-06

fire. And IN the range tllcre'd be
no fire unless | cut the wood but
being OH n strike, you see, |
wouldn't if | could. O. deari II
is dreadful mess; | don't know
what to do; I'm all up in The air
aud in the dickens of a stew.
One could fairly hear the price
of eggs drop last week, so rapid
was the decline. In one day the
local market at Vashon toboggan.
ed ten cents. The commission men
have been trying TO play safe, yet
many of tiiem lost heavily by the
sudden changes The underlying
causes are increased productions
ihe perishable nature of the arti-
Gle and the determination of deal
ers not 10 be caught with n stock
which they cannot dispose OF in
the event the anticipated general
strike occurs. With the single ex-
ception of butter, eggs seem 90
have been the only article notice.
ably affected by the market
changes OF the past week. II has
been remarked many times that
the egg market needs stabili4ing.
Never before has this need been
more apparent. But how is il to
be done9
All businesses have their ups
and downs, il is TO be supposed,
but it does seem as if the poultry
business has more than It's share.
One year ago prospects were very
discouraging, chiefly on account
of the high price of feed, Many
poultrymen dropped out entirely
or operated with greatly reduced
hocks. Those who stuck have
been amply rewarded because of
the unprecedented prices received
for eggs the past few months. Ac-
counts have been closed for the
year and inventories taken, but
inquiry among many Island poul-
trymen brings to light the fact
that all have been very busy and
few have had time to balance
their books, and therefore are un-
able to say just what was last
years profit. In attempting a
forecast for 1919, all seem to agree
that there are many elements of
uncertainty in the situation, ana
all advise caution.
From what | have been able TO
gather it seems to be the concerns
us of opinion that the poultryman
will be up against a somewhat
sitter proposition this year than
last. Some foods may be cheaper
and some higher. Wheat has re-
Gently advanced "a per ton. Bran.
largely used in the dry mash, is
practically out Of the market, be-
ing available only in the form of
millrun, hy-product of the man
ufacture Of -four. And millrun has
recently advanced nearly fifty
per cent. No one seems to be able
20 account for this increase by any
necessity of trade, as il is out OF
all proportion to the increase in
price of wheat. The general opin-
ion seems to be that the millers
have taken advantage of the stu
alton to reap an extra profit. On
the whole 1t seems not at all uu-
likely that the cost of feed per
fowl will not differ materially
from what it was in 1918. So
much for the expense account, but
when we come to the other side of
the questionable receipts for the
eggs-tlere is much uncertainty.
In 1918 the government was a big
buyer, having all its armies to
supply. While It win still be a
buyer, the quantity will be great
ly reduced. Last year everyone
who wished employment had it
and at wages which enabled him
to live well. Many are now out Of
employment. and the prospects are
that this number win be greatly
augmented in the near future.
which, of course. win greatly re-
duce buying power.
The pcultryman cannot inhu-
euce the price of feed, though he
may raise a portion of what he
needs,if he have sufficient land. or
if he have financial resources suf-
fieent he may. by taking advan-
tage of favorable market condi-
tons, often buy ahead of his needs
and thus make an appreeiable saw
ing. And there is always in every
man S hand the two-edged sword
of Efficiency which, properly
welded, reduces expenses and in