The Republican journal., 1915-04-22
Cooperation an Aid to Potato
Growers.

1IOWefS.
Unsatisfactory Market Conditions for Maine
Product Could also be Improved BY Bet
Ter Grading. .... -.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10, 1915.
The possibilities in the Maine potato area
for an efficient cooperative marketing
organization are declared to be almost
unlimited, in a recent publication of the
United States Department of Agricult-
ure Circular No. 49,, Marketing Maine
Potatoes"
At the present time, commercial grow
ers at the principal loading stations in
Maine are getting from 10 to 80 cents
per bushel, most sales being made at the
lower figure, while it is estimated that
the cost of production to the Name
farmer averages at least 80 cents. These
unsatisfactory prices find their immedi-
ate causes in last years extremely heavy
production and the general unsettled
conditions. Underneath these reasons.
however, lies the fact that the methods
of marketing potatoes in Maine are far
from efficient. Maine producers, how
ever, have made little concerted effort
to overcome these difficulties by endeav-
oring to correct the troubles which orig
mated at the growing end. Carelessness
in grading has resulted in the delivery
upon the large markets of great quanti-
ties of inferior potatoes which subse-
quently have been rejected. Last fall
there also was shipped a large quantity
of frosted stock. One such car inspect
ed by a representative of the Depart
ment of Agriculture in the New York
yards contained so many spoiled potatoes
that when sorted, the loss amounted to
probably half of the carload. At that
time the potatoes in this car were valued
approximately at 5000 in Maine, but plus
the freight charges to New York they
were worth about $315. Had the culls
been thrown out in Maine, therefore, the
loss of one-half of the carload would
have amounted to only $500. In New
York the loss was $I57. so, without TAX
ing into consideration the extra expense
OF sorting. Furthermore, it must be
remembered that if the damaged pota-
toes had been removed at point of origin
they would not have come in contact
with many cut and bruised, but other
wise merchantable potatoes, causing the
latter to spoil. With careful grading IN
Maine the loss in this carload would prob
ably not have been over Is per cent, or,
in money, $50.
This is only one in many cases of which
stock damaged by the early freeze of
last year in Maine was sent to NewYor
and resulted in heavy loss. At one
time this trouble became so marked that
the New York market grew tired of it
and sought New York State potatoes,
almost to the entire exclusion of the
Maine product. To improve marketing
conditions on Maine potatoes, the bulle-
tin already mentioned recommends radi-
cal Improvements in the following re-
spects:
l. The establishment of uniform
grades and brands.
2. Greater care in handling potatoes
from the field to the wholesaler.
3. Thorough inspection of all eating
and seed stock
4. The adoption of seed types, stand
ards and guarantees.
Uniform grades and standards for po-
tatoes, as for any other crop, tend to
establish confidence between buyer and
consumer. They also help greatly to
eliminate loss and waste, the cost of
which is ultimately divided between the
grower and consumer.
1t seems quite apparent that Maine
potato growers must join in an efficient
cooperative marketing organization if
they are to succeed IN lettering their
marketing conditions. Working individ-
ually. they have little chance to stand
ardize their product or insure proper re-
turns for it. To bring about improve
ments that count, they must join their
forces and so place themselves in posi-
ton to cope with the problems that face
them.