Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-04
THE "MURPHYS"
Discussed by the Members of the Mer-
chants Exchange Yesterday, with
the "Raisers" Thereof.
Their Virtues as a Moving Cause in
Commerce-Much Wind Over the
Barrel Question.

1t was pTdCtlCdlly uemOn -lIdtcu ytstcIudy
that there is more in a barrel of potatoes
han the casual observer would perhaps
dream of in a lifetime. To the uninitiated
barrel of potatoes is nothing more than
barrel of potatoes, upon the principle in
volved in the legendary problem as TO which
ia heaviest, pound OF feathers or pound
of lead. But TO our mutton-or, rather, po-
tstoes. a call was made through the AP-
PEAL, inviting all persoDs-producera, deal
err, buyers and shippers-interested in
potatoes in any way, to meet at the rooms of
the Merchants Exchange at l o'clock gee
terday afternoon. This call was responded
TO by large gathering OF that branch of
trace, including several prominent planters
well merchants. President John K.
Speed, of the Exchange, was called TO the
chair, and Secretary Keeling requested to
act az secretary.
The chairman explained the object of the
msstiDg TO be for the grower and dealer TO
discuss aud sgree upon proper dimension
OF barrel 10 be used in the buying and sell
ing Il potatoes in this market, TO be hereat-
ter recognized az the standard potato barrel.
Mr.. Geo. Z. Fleece thought it was fair that
a farmer; selling and buying potatoes, should
receive ss great quantity for barrel as he
WAS required TO give; that it was not equita-
Die to be compelled to give three bushels as
a barrel measurement when 81 ling, and then
pay perhaps 81 more in the fall for barrel
OF not more than two bushels and half or
three pecks. Some one said something about
the way some merchants would heap up the
top of barrel; that was matter that could
only be regulated by the grower selling to
The merchant that heaped up the least. He
thought that great many of the difficulties
hitherto arising between the grower and
dealer could be remedied by the establish
ment of 4 standard measurement which
should be used both in buying from and sell.
ing TO the produceT; no more would be taken
from him than would be given him in selling
and buying.
Mr.. L. Lawhoru, of L. Lawhorn & Co.,
moved that two bushels and three pscks be
the recognized standard barrel for the meas
urement of potatoes on this market.
Some discussion was had on the motion,
among which the propIiety of adopting
particular sized barrel, which might be diff
cult to obtain from the barrel factories, was
questioned.
Messrs. H. Furse pheim and J. L. Well
ford explained that there would be no diff
Guilty on that point, as the contents of bar
rel could be regulated by the circumference,
and not the hight OF the slaves of which it
was comPosed-that is, barrel could be en-
lsrged or contracted by the addition of
greater or constructing Of less number of
slaves.
Some discussion was hsd about the differ
encPs that might arise between the standard
adopted for Memphis and III at used in other
markets.
Chairman Seed explained the impossi-
bIlitJ of adopting barrel that would con-
form to sill markets. That WAS not the OBJ
Jet of the meeting. What we wait to do
here Is 10 agree upon the size Cf barrel that
sbatl be the standard Of our own market.
In dealing with other msrkets prices could
be governed by the relative quantity con-
taIned in the packages in which the po'a-
oes are received from other markets. We
want a measurement now that shall be uni
form and equitable between the potato raiser
aud the merchant. Mr.. Speed concluded by
stating that it was desirable that the plant
ers should bs heard on the subject.
Mr.. w. II. Hughey, prominent potato.
grower, who was present, was called upon,
and responded in an expression of some
very sensible and practical ideas. Mr..
Hughey thought the obi ct Of the meeting
was q step in the right direction. His ex-
perience had impressed him that the trade
IN potatoes heretofore had been very unsat-
isfactory, but he believed the difficulty could
be remedied by the adoption of a standard
measurement. He gave an instance OF
transaction in which he was a victim: He
dug his potatoes, and measured them on the
ground, and sent them TO his merchant here.
He was satisfied that his lot of potatoes
measured eleven barrels on the ground, but
10 his surprise when his wagon returned he
received a ticket for only nine and half
barrels. There was no standard barrel to
measure by, and he had no remedy.
The consequence was he sent no more po-
tstoes 10 this market. He could not afford
to lose one barrel out OF every ten he raised.
He thought a standard barrel adopted would
establish confidence between the grower and
the dealer, aud suggested that two bushels
and three pecks would suit all.
Several other growers present concurred
with Mr.. Hughey about the unsatisfactory
manner OF handling potatoes heretofore, and
also as to the sizs Of barrel that should be
adopted.
Mr.. Lawhorn explained why he thought
the size mentioned would prove to the inter-
est of both grower and dealer.
To the proposition that potatoes should be
sold by weight, the chairman stated that the
State standard OF wtights and measures en-
braced the weight of a barrel OF potatoes, but
several oil jactions were urged sgsinst buying
by weight. among them, that by some pro-
cesses of digging more mud would cling TO
the potato, especially in wet weather, than
by other processes and in dry seasons.
Mr.. Lawhorn urged also the Inconvenience
that would arise from selling by weight--a
great many farmers having the barrels on
hand preferred to pack their potatoes at their
own houses, and trouble would arise in get
ting correct weights.
Alter some remarks by others present, 10
which there seemed to be only one opinion
az to the necessity CT a standard measure
msnt being adopted, the chairman put the
motion Of Mr.. Lawhora that standard bar.
rel # potatoes should be two bushels aud
three pecks, which was unanimously adopted.
Chairman Speed gave assurance that the
Merchants Exchange would indorse the &C.
lion Of this meeting, BY adopting a barrel
holding two bushels and three pecks as the
standard measurement for potatoes on this
H. i IL.