THE MARKING OF E:;GS -
[To the Editor of the Srnc-rAzon.] Sin, The practice of mixing foreign eggs with English fresh eggs for sale has of late years become a scandal so widespread that I have heard it stated among those engaged in the egg trade that it was recognized and permitted by the authorities. For some years past the hucksters who collect eggs from the m
far honses have been mixing foreign eggs with those they collect, and passing them off to merchants and shops as " Fresh English." One firm to whom I sell eggs have. sliffered to'such an extent from this practice that they are at great trouble to Outtrneans- circumventing it What the hucksters do in . this matter I am ready to believe will also be done by many unscrupulous shops bid- it is to be noted that the best merchants andiShops'are under great difficulties when they :Wish to secure deliVery to themselves of English Fresh Eggs. -The' real object in marking eggs as Foreign or English is to prevent the fraudulent practice of passing off foreign eggs as Fresh English. For my own part I have no fear of honest competition--from foreign eggs ; - but I. object to this fraud which has become so common that it-is well nigh impossible for aponsumer to ensure getting fresh English eggs at an ordinary provision shop when he asks forthenr. , There appears tobe some effort *try to force a Standard ,Size of eggonthe market. I cannot see any real advantage ,cither, to. consurneror producer, in proclaiming, a special size of egg as " fast grade " or " Standard!' or any such name. Eggs should be sold by graded weight at so many pounds to the long hundred, and the increase of egg farina producing large quantities will tend to this. I grade my own eggs and prefer to sell than. such terms ; but any attempt to fix a standard • .size is not to the advantage of the public., To exclude the smaller grades from the market would tend to increase the eost of. production, because at certain seasons of the year the number of small eggs .increases naturally, that is to say, when pullets first come into laying. it is obviously to the advantage of the housewife, preferring to do so, to be able to buy small eggs when they are so plentiful that the price of the heavier grades may soar out of proportion to the • relative weights. - The most important points for both producer and consumer • . . both to secure are ; (1) correct description, of, origin , (foreign or r*Iglish) &Idea standard of freshness, (2) ,correct description of graded weights. . What, is needed is the Making 'illegal of descriptioes, of origins, standard of freshness, weight. It is hoped that GOvernment intervention in the.niarking of eggs will make this possible and enable 'these responsible. to enforce t,he law,=I am, Sir, &c., MUGU C. FAIliFAX-CHOIAMEL.il.c.
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