The Glenwood post., 1919-03-15
POTATO INSPECTION


been generally beneficial, and should
be continued. From the discussion tho
question arose as to the authority under
which the potato inspectors were now
operating. Some contended that the
potato inspection law was discontin-
ued simultaneously with the United
States food administration, December
12, 1918, and that the inspection we
now have is bogus inspection which
is forced upon us by the shippers and
commission men. Before the matter
was settled, wire was sent to Hon.
G. L. Timberlake of the U. s. house cf
representatives, and the following re-
ply received:
Mr.. H. R. Dix,
| Chairman,
Greeley, Colo.
Authority of food administration
in potato grading has ceased to be
operative. Will wire you later of
attitude of agricultural depart
/ ment.
CHAS. B. TIMBERLAKE.
A resolution to the effect that the
potato growers were opposed to potato
inspection was read. This met with
much favor among the potato growers
of the Greeley district, but was much
opposed by the potato growers of other
| sections However, the resolution
passed under the protest of a number
of the growers.
There is no question in the minds Of
| large number of potato growers in
the state that potato inspection is a
good thing, and if properly worked out
will be beneficial to the potato grow
ers, shippers commission men and con-
sumers; but before the potato inspec-
tion work is made satisfactory to all
concerned, there will necessarily have
to be some changes made both in the
method of appointment of inspectors
and in the grades and number of grades
into which potatoes may be classified.
1t would not be right for the potato
growers to do the appointing and pay
ing of salary and expenses to the in
spectors, nor would it be fair for the
commission men and shippers to do the
appointing, because, in time of doubt,
the inspectors would likely favor their
employers.
To my mind, the potato inspectors
should be appointed by the federal gov
ernment, and should be disinterested
parties brought in from outside of the
territory in which they are to work.
The inspectors of last season had
only two grades, U. S. No. ! and U. 8.
No. 2, for the classification of pota.
toes. This is unfair, not only to the
inspector, but to the grower and to the
consumer. / can see where it might
prove beneficial to the middlemen, in
that potatoes may be purchased for
U. S. grade No . and sold for u. s.
grade No. l. Many such cases have
| been reported.
We sell our wheat under a great
number of grades, also our apples, as
extra choice extra fancy, fancy, etc,
and this method of classification has
proved advantageous to the fruit grow
ers. Why should not the potato grow.
ers have the same privilege, and in
place of having but two grades. have
enough grades so that all potatoes that
could be economically consumed be
placed INTO grade or class. Any
farmer may have some unavoidable con
d1tlon arise in connection with his DO
tatoes which would disqualify his crop
from being classed as No. or No. 2,
and yet that crop may be used by GER
tam classes of people economically and
to the financial advantage of botu the
grower and consumer.
The inspection of potatoes, when
properly worked out, will be of great
benefit to the potato growers of this
section. At the present time there is
no official inspection except at the ter
minal points where the U. s. department
of agriculture does the inspecting. A
farmer may ship his potatoes without
inspection, if he so desires, and can
have them inspected at the other end,
by calling upon the inspectors Of the
U. 8. department Of agriculture, either
by wire or letter.
We must keep working upon the sub
ject Of potato inspection until it meets
the needs Of our section.
FRANK e. SWEET,
Carhondale Cnln