The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-15
By MRS. JOHN c. MOSES Missfssippi City. Miss.

l Parcel posting eggs has long since passed the experimental stage. Its prac- | tlcability is demonstrated by the fact
 that more parcels of eggs pass through the mails than of any other product. While the great bulk of eggs which
 come from distant producing territory
 will continue to be shipped by other methods, it is no doubt true that many cities can be supplied with a considerable portion of their fresh eggs from within the first and second zones by parcel post to the advantage of both porducer and consumer. By such direct contact the producer should secure better prices for his eggs than are realized by present methods of marketing and the consumer should obtain a fresher quality at no in- creased cost, or, frequently. even at a reduction in price.
 Eggs for direct marketing, if the trade
 requires it or if it can be done without and disadvantage. should be assorted as
 to size and color. Eggs irregular in shape. those which are unusually long or thin shelled, or which have shells other
 wise defective, should be kept by the producer for home use, so that break age in transit may be reduced as much as possible.
 Regardless of the particular style or design of the container used, each egg should be wrapped according to parcel
 
 shake about. Soft wrapping paper or newspaper should be used around each egg. Should the eggs shake about in the container, the danger of breakage in han ding is increased.
 Average hens eggs will weigh about IF pounds to the dozen, or 2 ounces each. The weight of single dozen of eggs in carton properly packed and wrapped for mailing will run from to pounds, dapendip~ op tha patIlre of the Dartfcu- lar container, the size of the eggs, and the packing and wrapping used If the container be a very light one and the eggs small, the parcel may fall within the g. pound limit, and the postage therefore, within the first and second zones, or the 15o-mile limit, would be cents. Most parcels containing a dozen eggs will ex- ceed 2 pounds, but will not reach 3; therefore the postage on them will be cents within the first and second zones A parcel containing dozen eggs will add perhaps cents to the postage, though sometimes only 1 cent, depending on the nature of the container and the packing and wrapping.
 It should be observed that the larger the parcel (within the size and weight limits) the cheaper is the postage, as the first pound of every package costs 5 cents within the first and second zones. while each additional pound, up to 50, costs but 1 cent; so that while a l. pound parcel would cost cents postage, a 2-pound parcel would cost only cents, or cents pound. A 20-pound parcel would cost "A cents, or one and oneA fifth cents per pound, and a 50-pound parcel would cost 54 cents, or but one and two-twenty-fifths cents a pound.
 The appearance of the parcel depends largely upon the manner in which it is wrapped. Odds and ends of paper and twine are not desirable for this purpose. Every producer who aims to make bus- ness of shipping eggs by parcel post should procure a supply of good. tough paper of the proper size to wrap his and also good, strong, though not too heavy, cord or twine that stretches very little.
 To insure prompt delivery the address should be written plainly on the wrap ping of the parcel. Much mail matter is delayed or altogether fails to reach it's destination because of an incomplete or poorly written address.