The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-10-22
FARM MARKETS
BULLETIN No. IS


There has been recommended by the
Omitted States department of agricul-
ture certain potato grades and rules,
which, in their opinion, Will meet the
needs of growers, dealers and con-
sumers; also the requirements of the
federal reserve board, in order that
member banks may make loans against
warehousing receipts for potatoes
properly graded, packed, stored, and
insured Therefore, in order that
those grades may become uniform, and
dealers may obtain these proffered
| federal loans If desired, !, the under
signed, state director of farm mar
kets, do amend the Idaho rules by me
promulgated August 20, 1917, to con-
form with the federal recommended
tons, and do now promulgate the fol
lowing, as Idaho state official stand
ard rules of potato grading and In
SpectiOn as amended:
| For Idaho potatoes receiving state inspec-
ton there shall be three standards. or grades,
designated and known as idaho Fancy"
'Idahos u. s. Grade No. l." and "Idaho's
U. s. Grade No. e."
| Each standard or grade shall consist OF
sound potatoes of similar varietal characteris-
tics, which are practically free from frost
injury sunburn, second growth cuts, scab,
4 blight, dry rot, dirt other foreign matter.
damage caused by disease. insects or me-
chanical means, with the following specified
| variations:
| "Idaho Fancy"
OF this grade, the minimum diameter OF
potatoes of the round variety shall be two
and one-fourth (2A) inches; of potatoes OF
the long variety, two and one-eighth (2s)
inches, subject to the maximum variation Of
| five per centum under size by weight, and
| in addition one per centum by weight OF any
such lot may be below the remaining require
ments of this grade.
| '1daho's u. 8. Grade No. l."
OF this grade, the minimum diameter Of
| potatoes of the round variety shall be one
and seven-eighths QB) inches, and OF pota-
toes of the long variety, one and three-fourths
| l%) inches subject to the maximum varla-
ton of five per centum under size by weight,
and three per centum by weight below the
| remaining requirements of this grade.
idaho U. 8. Grade No. e"
OF this grade the minimum diameter OF
potatoes shall be one and one-haf u12l
inches, subject to the maximum variation OF
Ave per centum under size by weight, and
five per centum by weight may be below
the remaining requirements of this grade
When screens are used for grading, the
screen measurement shall, in the clear, equal
the required minimum diameter Of the potato.
Explanation of Grade Requirements.
practically free" means that the appear
ance shall not be injured to any extent read
| lily apparent upon casual examination; and
| that any damage from the causes mentioned
can be removed by the ordinary process OF
pairing without appreciable increase in waste
over that which would occur If the potato
were perfect. Loss of the outer skin (epf-
dermis) only shall not be considered an injury
to the appearance.
Diameter" means the greatest dimension
| at right angles of the longitudinal axis.
Free from serious damage" means that
the appearance shall not be injured to the
extent of more than twenty per centum OF
the surface, and that any damage from the
causes mentioned can be removed by the
ordinary processes of pairing, without increase
weight over that which would occur the
potato were perfect.
Notes.
Potatoes of idaho Fancy" and "Idahos
u. S. Grade No. L." unless shipped in bulk,
should be placed only in clean sacks or bar
rels, which should be well filled, securely
sewed or covered, and in addition to any nee
esary statements or marks, should be plainly
marked idaho Fancy" or "Idaho's U. s.
Grade No. l." as the case may be- Contain
ers of potatoes of 'Idaho's U. S. Grade No.
2" should also be plainly marked "1dahos
u. S. Grade No. q"
/ Fees for Inspection.
The regular fees for inspection shall be-
until otherwise promulgated, $2.25 for each
inspection of carload lots or part thereof,
when inspected for car shipments, except
as hereinafter set forth; or ten cents (10c)
per ton for warehouse storage in any guam
tixy in less than ffteen-ton lots. For inspec-
ton made on load lots only, twenty-five cents
(25c) per ton or fraction thereof. If state
inspection of stock is requested at some point
distant from inspectors regular territory, the
fee charged shall be fifty cents (5Oc) an
hour for time required, including that Of
travelling to and from place of inspection,
together with actual transportation and hotsa
charges.
That part of the rules dealing with grades
No. and No. 2 here promulgated. do by law
become at once the official standard of Idaho.
That of idaho Fancy" grade will become
the official standard February 20, 1918 How
ever, If the growers will at once adopt the
plan of selling and shipping under these
grades they will place with the Farm Mar
kets Department immediate power to enforce
uniform price, and incidentally better
price.
If these grades are adopted and state in.
spection is had before shipping. should there
be complaint made at the point of delivery
by buyers that the stock was not received in
condition as certified, the federal government
will, at request of shipper, and without adj
ditional cost to him, inspect the stock, and
the federal certificate will at once become
prima facia evidence in any state court Of
the true grade or classification.
(Signed) HARVEY ALFRED,
State Director of Farm Markets.