Martha Stewart: Crack the egg-humaneness shell game

Dear Martha: I'd like to buy eggs that come from chickens raised humanely. Can you help decipher the marketing claims?

A: Given the countless labels on egg cartons, buying a dozen is not an easy task. It helps to know which terms are regulated by the U.S. government and animal-welfare groups.

If an egg carton bears a U.S. Department of Agriculture shield, the producer is audited annually and the labels hold true. Claims on cartons without a shield are not guaranteed to be accurate. "Cage-free," as defined by the USDA, means the hens are not confined in cages and have a constant supply of food and water, but they can't necessarily go outside. "Free-range" chickens live by the above standards and have access to the outdoors. The term "access" is broadly defined: A small door at one end of a barn fills the bill.

Eggs with the green "USDA Organic" seal have met the standards of the National Organic Program. Laying hens are kept cage-free and can roam outdoors, and their feed is made from organic ingredients with no animal byproducts.

In addition to the USDA, there are a few third-party groups whose primary concern is the animals' well-being, with respect to space allotment and other needs. Each organization issues its own guidelines and labels: The American Humane Association (www.americanhumane. org) has "American humane certified"; the Animal Welfare Institute (www.animalwelfare approved. org), "animal welfare approved"; and Humane Farm Animal Care (www.certified humane.org), "certified humane raised and handled." To learn about these standards, visit the Web sites.

Among the unregulated terms is "no hormones added." The federal government banned the use of growth hormones in laying hens, so the label is meaningless. "Pasture raised" and "pastured," which suggest that the hens forage in grass, are also not regulated.

Another source for eggs from humanely raised chickens is a farmers' market. (To find one near you, go to www.local harvest.org/. Ask the seller about how the farm feeds and houses its chickens.

Dear Martha: Is there an easy way to remove dried latex paint from my wood floor?

A: Latex-based paint isn't usually a disaster for hardwood flooring, even if the spill has gone untended. You can probably remove it with rubbing alcohol.

Apply the alcohol to a clean, white cloth, and test it on a hidden area of the floor to make sure the floor's finish won't be harmed. Then rub the spill. If more friction is needed to remove the paint, switch to a soft-bristle brush or a plastic scraper. Another option is to use a straight razor blade. Hold the blade almost parallel to the floor, taking care that you don't scrape the wood or its finish. (If you remove some wax, you'll have to treat the area afterward.)

If rubbing alcohol doesn't work, try a product designed to clean dried latex paint, such as Goof Off, which is available at hardware stores and online. Be sure to read the instructions. Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area, and use it sparingly, following the methods described above, until all traces of the paint are removed.

Dear Martha: Any suggestions for an engagement party with a theme?

A: Think about places that are meaningful to the couple getting married. If they were engaged in San Francisco, you could use the city as a theme, with foods specific to the region and miniature trolleys as decorations. A friend of mine who loves Paris got engaged, so we put Eiffel Towers on each table and gave the two of them an album of French songs. The event has to be personal.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 601 West 26th St., 9th floor, New York, NY 10001. Questions also may be sent by e-mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number.