New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-09
ALL ABOUT POTATOES.
FROM THE FIELD TO THE TABLE.

TkAftlC-oChNbS Al \ GhEAl fOtAlO AAhD
AND ON THE PIERs-THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE.
New-York City is the chief potato market of
America, with a daily consumption, including that
OF Brooklyn, estimated at 10000 barrels, be-
sides large supply for the shipping trade.
It draws its supplies from all parts or
the country and distributes its surplus to nearly every
part the world The annual potato Of the United
States estimated at nearly OF which
Eew-York State alone produces 25,OO0,000 bushels or
100000 600 barrels.
The potato crop of the country has been estimated as
equivalent TO soO,OOO,OOo pounds OF mutton or
1000 900 900 pounds of bread. Hundreds Of millions
Of dollars are annually invested in this staple and
thousands OF men get living III the worK OF narKeuhR
the crop.
The principal potato growing counties of the State
Washington. Rensselaer, and Saratoga. and also the
counties centre of the State bordering the New
York Central and Erie railroads. Aside from New-York
State large supplies received from Maine, Massa
chusets, Vermont Michigan, Ono, Illinois and Ncbras
ka A fe 81 carloads from San Francisco, but
the freight amounted to more than the value OF the
cargo.
The Bermuda Islands. South Carolina, and Virginia
relied for early potatoes, from January TO July;
after which, New-Jersey and Long Island supply the
trade until about the 10th Of August. when shipments
begu from the interior of the State In some years.
large quantities imported from Canada, ana Tor
long time New-York has received a large ana
regular supply the Province OF Nova Scotia Prince
Edwards Island and New-BruAswick. Ia 1873 the I'M
ports of amounted to 7S0173 bushels, and in
1879 COZ 553 bushels the duty on which. at 10 cents
bushel, brought the Government more than $20OoOo
in the two years.
NewYork also exported TO foreign countries in 1873
b5l 437 bushels and in 1879 547 GIL bushels. They
went mainly TO the West Indies and South America;
and IN 1879 large quantity shipped TO England on
accouut of the general failure OF the crop III Great
Britain
DEFECTIVE MARKET SYSTEM.
Although the New-York potato market may boast the
largest business far behind its sister cities Phla-
delphia Baltimore and Washington In the matter OF
system One for this IS that the stock is received
at SD many different points throughout the city ana an
other the Legislature has not yet compelled dealers
TO use standard measure. Such statute is very much
needed as present usage, especially at the Iwey
Street Market is unsatisfactory to country
shippers, aud also injurious to the city uea!-
crs although they are slow TO zee Il"
The evil lies in the deceptive ideas which country SHIP
pers receive from the quotations sent them ana com
plants are frequent either that do not hold ont ac
cording TO the amount put in them, or that the
prices quoted not realized for their shipments
Thus, the prices and the measure are always varying
and IL Is not strange that system containing so much
guess work has brought this market into dsiavor and
driven cOnsGDments TO cities where stock Is SOFA Dy
weight, or some standard measure.
The dealers, however with few exceptions, men
who farmers formerly, are OF Imod business cdu
cation and far have beeucJnten to follow III the same
after year. IL Is very ecIuOm tHdt d Coii-
Segment OF potatoes is sold at the Produce
Exchange, and vely few dealers belong to That
body. rule, shipments are sold, is soon as posi-
BILE after arrival from the vessel to ali comers
and the retail loduce dealers expected TO know
where to find the best bargains.
GREAT POTATO YAPD.
The potato yard at Twenty nnth-st aud Tenthave is
one of the things one cannot ud outside Of New-YoIk
III the carly morning hours, when trade is at Its height
the spectacle battles description. Hundreds of grocers
carts, pedlers' wagons ana trucks throhG
the yard between the cars, which are
placed ON three tracks, with gaEgways
between item. Downtown malketmen, shippers ana
dealers thread their way among tie wagons or climb
into or on top the for better command OF the
situation.
The yard is moreover often swimming in mud from
six 10 twelve inches deep, that the suggestion OF
one merchants wife that lie procure O bicycle
10 ride from one to another, was not
altogether pontess II the mud drles, Tie
dust becomes less annoying. Most ot the laDoreIs
employed in the yard of course Irismen as they
are the cOngeueTs of the potato The Few Ger
mans employed soon lind that they are regarded as
foreigners and take good deal OF practical Joking
from their Celtic cousins
These shoyelers have an organization Of their own
Tor their protection and mutual advantage Little ar
ferences" among themselves, Oftoner with
the pedlers that come TO the yarI, are
frequent. Although policeman is on duty,
the yard enjoys much of the immunity OF
a mining camp; and being left thus to themselves
rude justice generally prevails WITH however, plenty OF
opportunity for rough amusement.
number Of these men are employed TO bring grOcers
TO the cars OF different dealers. When grocer drives
in the gate Immediately becomes object OF atrac-
ton Two or three runners" mount his wagon ana
perhaps the rens others on the ground se'ze LIS
horses head and all by deafenng yels or cOnhdenal
whsp rs try TO entlce him each to his own particular
car The result is escape the annoyance he fire.
auently buys at the first he stops at After he
has made his bargain the unsuccessful runners
will frequently hail him with such cries as:
Drunk again." "Pll stick you some time" or
"youl be sorry when you get sober" These laborcrs
are not ouIy adopts making sales but are masters at
the art of shovellng filing barrel in half the time
novice would employ and slOvcIng i'll such way that
the potatoes lay loose and light in the BARREL much
10 tue dismay of the buyer. They also sort out the
largest potatoes and throw them to the top OF the pile III
order that they may roll down and keep the face Of the
pile attractive
sTREET.VESDERS.
The licensed vendors pedlers. who hawk potatoes
around the street subject for study Usually OF
low unfortunate class. they ply their trade with
little ambition, aud few OF them probably Keep
their weeks profit over Saturday night. They
almost invariably buy the poorest potatoes IN
market, because the cheapest and are always looking
puy Various ra ans Of "beatng the dealers they buy
OF. This class know their opportunity when iarmer
them countryman III the market Is 10 bring smile
OF Joy TO their faces They Will crowd around
tue quality Of his stock and running down the mangt
ti he is willing sell at their prices when they Will
nropably make INN big barrel 10 measure III, and
ferward lie him out Of barrel or two in the tally II
he not have counterfeit money palu nn vi oIis
doubled " Oh bin he IS lucky. -
til amusing to compare the LANGUAGE ana eXPres
suave address ueed when they approach the basement
doors with Potatoes lady 81 The same tuDers when
they declared, when buying them would COOK nEe
soil sOap" are described 10 the housewife as the pref
test potatoes that grew, anu arc "arranteu 10
cook ike ball Of -four" ,,. - .,,
Some OF The legends or notices inscribed on thelr
wagons are unique. Oue has Away from home
scrawIed the ailboard. after the fashion OF roll