The Sauk Centre herald., 1912-11-07
Potato Marketing.
BY K. A. KIRKPATRICK, Hor-
ticulturist, Extension Divi-
sion, University Farm.
sion, Univers

I. !. !. !. = !. !. j. J. :. !. \ !. i. !. !. !.
With the large yield of potatoes
generally, and the unsettled condition
of the market, great many growers
are at present undecided as to what
policy to follow in marketing the po-
tato crop. In many portions of the
potato districts of the state there is
a great deal of scab present. Con-
siderable of the fusarium rot, and Sec
ond growth in the tubers also occur.
All of these things operate to make
the marketing unsettled for the
grower.
Under present conditions It would
hardly seem advisable for the grower
to store his crop unless he knew that
it was of unusually good quality, and
he had good storage facilities close
at hand. Potatoes must always be
well ripened In order to store to ad-
somewhat green and store it will re-
suit in disappointment for the grower.
There is no doubt whatever but that
table stock will be worth more money
before spring, but the problem is to
store it at such point that it can
be put on the market at times when
the demand is keen. For example, to
store several car loads CT potatoes at
a point distant from the market and
then not be able to get them On the
market when the marketing conl,-
tons cause the price to rise abruptly
would not benefit the grower.
Probably the storing of seed stock
will be more generally advisable than
storing for table use. The probabil-
tiles are that good, pure type seed
stock will he very good property be-
fore the spring season, on account OF
the rot, the scab, and the other LII
conditions that exist in many of the
seed potato districts. 1t seems to the
writer that the best place to store
seed stock would be at some central
cago. The cost for storage in these
places is not high, and if the stock is
of proper quality, we'll selected, and
ripened, there is no doubt but that
the gain will more than offset the cost
Of storing.
Close grading should be followed on
potatoes that are to be offered on the
market for immediate use, or for stor-
ing for future consumption. This is a
point that is of more than usual i'm
portance this season because of the
abundance of ordinary stock that Will
food the market The following are
the standard market grades for pOta-
toes:
"FANcY POTATOES" shall be
known as: One variety true to name,
ripe, sound, smooth. clean, bright, free
from disease, scab, and second growth,
uniform run Of medium to large size,
correct shape for the variety quoted,
with none but would run over Ia
inch screen, and not over per cent
that would run through two-inch
screen, for round varieties. For long
varieties there may be 20 per cent
that would run through two-inch
screen.
"cHoIcE POTATOES" shall be
known as: One variety, with not
over 10 per cent scabby, diseased and
second growth, fairly clean, good col
or, medium to fair size and shape for
variety quoted, with none but would
run over a 1h-inch screen, and not
bver 10 per cent that would run
through a ] q Inch screen for round
varieties. For long varieties there
may be 20 per cent that would run
through a 1% inch screen.
"GOOD POTATOES" shall be the
tame as choice, only there may be 30
per cent mixture of same color, or 1O
Der cent mixture of any color and
variety, fairly well matured, accord
ing to the season shipped, and not
over Is per cent scabby, diseased and
rough, fair to dark in color, fair size,
with none but would run over a one
inch screen, and not over Is per cent
that would run through a IL inch
screen. with not over 2 per cent UNI
sound
"FlELD RUN POTATOES" should
be practically sound, but unassorted.
This grading is accomplished by
running the tubers over machine
sorter, having screens of the proper
dimensions. In addition to this, one
or two boys or helpers should stand
beside the grader and pick out all