Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-10
cRossvILLE. TENNESSEE WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER TO- 1917.
GRADING POTATOES.
A Matter Of First Importance for This
Section to Reach Market.

Section to Reach Market.
Last year the potato crop of tn
country was many millions of bushel
below normal. This year the crop i
nearly 100 millions above normal
That means that the large crop mus
be carefully graded if 1t Is to be con
sumed by the country at rate tina
will prove profitable to the farmer.
The Importance of grading cannot b.
too strongly urged, for. as is wei
known to many, one lot OF poor pota
toes may 30 far reduce the quality OF
a car as to completely shut the market
for future sales from that locality.
The quality of the potatoes produced
on this plateau are of the highest
and need no introduction in that
way In some sections. In other sec.
lions they are unknown and for that
reason 1T is especially necessary tina,
we grade carefully.
The government has established two
grades IN potatoes and we give here
the contents of bulletin issued on the
subject of grading potatoes. The bull.
letln says:
The present record-breaking crop of
potatoes this season, the general situa-
ton with regard to food supplies, the
over. taxed condition of the transporra-
ton facilities OF the country, and the
recent ruling of the Federal Reserve
Board that member banks are author
ICED to mi Ike loans against warehouse
receipts fl pois- toes, properly graded,
packed. stored, and insured, emphasize
the importance of adopting uniform
grades for this product.
For several years the Bureau OF
MARKETS. Of the United States nenert.
snort u Agriculture has been investi-
eating and demonstrating the practi-
cability Of marketing potatoes by
grade. This work has been conducted
in most of the principal producing Sec
tions of the country and has consisted
of field tests in the grading and pack
ing of potatoes and experiments IN the
marketing OF the graded as compared
with the ungraded product. The re-
suits show conciusively that the mar
keting of potatoes by grade is deslr-
able, practicable and economical.
The Department of Agriculture and
the United States Food Administration
jointly recommend and urge the adopt
ion of the following grades, which, in
their opinion. will meet the needs of
the Federal Reserve Board, as we'll ~
those of growers, dealers and consum-
srs:
U. s. GRADE No. l.
This grade shall consist OF souno po-
tatoes of similar varletal characteris-
tics, which are practically tree from
dirt or other foreign matter, frost in
jury, sunburn, second growth, cuts,
scab, blight, dry rot, and damage
caused by disease, insects, or mechan-
ical means. The minimum diameter
of potatoes of the round varieties shall
be one and seven-elghths inches. and
of potatoes of the long varieties one
and three-fourths inches. In order to
allow for variations incident to COM
mercial grading and handling, five per
centum by weight of any lot may be
under the prescribed size, and, In addl-
ton, three per centum by weight of
any such lot may be below the remain
ing requirements of this grade.
U. $. GRADE NO.2.
This grade shall consist of potatoes
Of similar varietal characteristics,
which are practically free from frost
injury and decay, and which are free
from serious damage caused by dirt or
other foreign matter. sunburn, second
growth, cuts, scab. blight, dry rot. or
other disease, insects or mechanical
means. The minimum diameter shall
be one and one-half inches. In order !
to allow for variations incident to COM |
mercial grading and handling. FIVE per !
.entum by weight Of any lot may be
under the prescribed size, and, In ad
iition. five per censum by weight Of
any such lot may be below the remain /
ing requirements Of this grade.
For the purpose Of these recommend
atoms no attempt has been made to
provide grades tor potatoes Of extra
.aney quality and else. such ~ special
,aking potatoes used IN dining cars.
,oteis and restaurants, Or fer lets CON-