The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1921-08-18

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The following potato grades were
recommended by the delegates at the
potato conference held in Yakima on
July 23rd.
Revised Potato Grades
The potato grades recommended by
the department of agriculture and the
United States Food administration on
September 10, 1917, have been changed
slightly. The revised grade specifi-
cations are stated below and the more
important changes are noted in CAPT.
tai letters.
u. S. Grade No.
This grade shall consist of similar
varietal characteristics, which are
practically free (a) from dirt or other
foreign matter, frost injury, sunburn,
second growth, GROWTH CRACKS,
cuts, scab, blight, soft rot, dry rot,
and damage caused by disease, in
sects, or mechanical OR OTHER
means.
The diameter (b) of potatoes of the
round varities shall not be less than
rs inches, and of potatoes of the long
varieties IL inches.
In order to allow for variations in.
cident to commercial grading and
handling, five per centum by weight of
any lot may be under the prescribed
size, and, in addition SIX per centum
by weight of any such lot may be be-
low the remaining requirements of this
grade; but not more than ONE-THIRD
of such six per centum, that is to say
not more than TWO PER CENTUM
by weight of the entire lot, may have
the flesh injured by soft rot (d).
u. S. Grade No. 2
This grade shall consist of potatoes
of similar varietal characteristics,
which are practically free from frost
injury or soft rot, and which are free
from serious damage (c) caused by
sun-burn, cuts, scab, blight, dry rot,
or other disease, insects or mechanic
al or OTHER MEANS.
The diameter (b) of potatoes in this
grade shall not be less than one and
one-half inches.
In order to allow for variations in
cident to commercial grading and
five per centum by weight of
any lot may be under the prescribed
size, and, in addition SIX per centum
by weight of any such lot may be UNI
der the remaining requirements of this
grade; but not more than one-third of |
such six per centum, that is to say not |
more than TWO PER CENTUM by
weight of the entire lot, may have
the flesh injured by soft rot (d).
Explanation of Grade Requirements
(a) practically free means that
he appearance shall not be injured to
IN extent readily apparent upon cas-
lal examination OF THE LOT, and
hat any damage from the causes men,
Toned can be removed by the ORDIN- (
AIRY processes of pairing without APP
,reciable increase in waste over that l
which would occur if the potato We're |
perfect. Loss of outer skin (epider-
nis) only shall not be considered as
IN injury to the appearance.
(b) Diameter" means the greatest |
dimension at right angles to the long
tudinal axis.
(c) "Free from serious damage"
means that any damage from causes
mentioned can be removed by the or
linary processes of pairing without in
,rease in waste of more than ten per
:entum by weight over that which |
would occur if the potato We're per-
feet.
(d) "Soft rot" means soft, mushy |
condition of the tissues, from what
ever cause.
The tolerance given in these two
grades to allow for variations Incl
lent to commercial grading is not in
tended for the grower as much as it |
IS for the receiver. With the most
careful grading enough undergrade
potatoes will get in to bring the toler-
ance up to the maximum.
No doubt most cars of potatoes
shipped to the eastern markets will
larry a state certificate with them.
The new certificates are more COM
plete than last year and offer a safe
guard for the shipper as well as the
receiver. All certificate work this
year is in accord with the work done
BY the Bureau of Markets, u. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
Winfield s. Smith,