Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-12-15

size and the stock must be further
graded by hand to eliminate potatoes
affected by sunburn, dry-rot, scabs,
frost, or other defects.
All grading should be done prefer
ably on the farm. If the grower
ships ungraded stock to market, it
must be graded there where labor is
more costly. In addition to paying,
in lower prices received, for this
labor. he also pays freight on reject
ed potatoes and loses the culls, which
he might have utilized on the farm.
Grading is facilitated where the
grower has sufficient storage space
for a large part Of his crop. In this
way potatoes which do not show the
effects of frost or other damage when
first dug may be detected later and
sorted out before the crop is market
ed. If the potatoes are shipped with
out sorting, the damage usually
brings about rotting of the injured
potatoes before the market is reached
and reduces prices on the whole ship
ment.
Three Standard Grades.
In the bulletin already mentioned,
the specialists of the department do
not make specific recommendations
for the adoption of standard grades,
but, for the assistance of those inter-
ested in bringing about standardiza-
ton, they suggest that two regular
grades and perhaps a special grade
for ezra fancy potatoes should meet
market needs.
1t is suggested that specifications
for the No. l grade should be drawn
to make it as good and attractive in
appearance as is reasonable and prac-
table. These specifications should
practically eliminate potatoes dam
aged by frost, sunburn, blight, COM
mon scab, dry rot, decay, second
growth, cuts, bruises, dirt, and also
understood or coarse stock.
The minimum and maximum sizes
for both No. l and No. 2 grades are
still a subject for careful investiga-
ton, discussion, and demonstration.
However, minimum of about two
inches is maintained for grade No. /
in a number of early or new" po-
tato sections, and the commonly dis
cussed minimum for this grade is
from 1% to 2 inches. The minimum
diameter for long variety should
probably be a little smaller than for
a round one. Since 1t is practically
impossible in grading any perishable
products commercially to secure
perfect grade, reasonable tolerances
should be allowed. The No. 2 grade
should include the better of the re-
naming potatoes.
The studies of the market special
lists Of the department indicate that
there is an unnecessary diversity in
the containers for potatoes in use.
These now range from the one-bushel
hampers for the early Florida crop to
double-headed barrels. The two
bushel. or 120-pound, burlap bag is
as perhaps the most salts
factory container for general use.
The lack of proper grading and pack
ing, the specialists say, causes large
part Of the marketing difficulties now
in the potato trade.
Eight Marketing Methods.
Marketing conditions in the north
differ widely from those in the south,
since about three-fourths Of the crop
is stored. Local buyers, warehouse
men. and distributors are the chief
factors in marketing the northern
crop.
The bulletin already mentioned
lists eight methods of selling that
growers may adopt. These are: In
the field, for cash by the load at the
car, to cash travelling buyers in car
lots, to local warehousemen, through
distributors, by wire, on consignment
to a broker or merchant, or through
cooperative marketing organizations.
The bulletin also discusses the outlets
for distributors and methods of rail-
way billing.
PAYS s91 5nn F0R RIIII