Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-09

II seems that IS per cent of the
energy of our farmers is put into
the production of crops and Is per
cent into the marketing of same. 1t
Is manifest, of course, that the farm
er to be successful must concentrate
the greater part of his energy and
attention upon his farm operations.
Undoubtedly, however, he could give
larger percentage of his time to
the problems involved in marketing,
and / believe this will be the policy
pursued in the future. 1t is manifest
to all thinking people that at least
as much effort should be put into
the selling of a crop as into it's pro-
duction. Undoubtedly, almost any
article which we use In our homes
that is manufactured in this country
could be greatly reduced in cost but
for the amount invested in selling
it, Millions of dollars are spent by
many concerns to sell their goods. A
constant effort is made to improve
the grade and to place the article on
the market in an attractive package
and under a label which makes a
strong appeal to the imagination.
In agriculture we have seemed to
think that these matters did not
count for very much, and so the
sweet potato crop, for instance, mas
been offered to the consumer in al
most every conceivable form and
condition with the exercise OF no
special thought or effort toward max
ing it the attractive and appealing
article of the dietary which 1t could
easily be made.
In an effort to improve conditions
affecting the successful and pront-
able marketing of sweet potatoes,
certain standards or grades nave
reau of markets in cooperation with
the various states concerned. THESE
refer not only to the grading OF the
potatoes, but to the class and CHAR
acter of the package which should De
used. There appears to be nothing
of more Importance to which TO oil
rect the attention of our farmers at
this time than the facts associated
with this phase Of sweet potato pro-
duction.
Let us see if we can not market
the sweet potato crop OF the soutn
this fall in a manner that will insure
better prices for the grower and
more satisfactory quality of potatoes
and at the same time give the pur-
chaser value received. The factors
to be observed in the attainment OF
this end are set forth in this article
which summarizes the best data
which the horticultural experts Of
our southern institution sare able to
offer on this important subject.
There is tendency to vary the
grades for sweet potatoes from year
to year. Even government and state
specialists have changed their sug-
gestions in reference to the grades
during the last few, years. THIS IN
certainty is probably due to the ef-
feet that prices have upon grades.
When there is a strong demand for
a vegetable product, buyers are more
readily induced to take poor grades
or even ungraded stuff than when
the demand is slow. Consequently,
the high prices that have obtained
during the last few years have tend
ed to make the grades of sweet po-
uatoes uncertain and also there have
been shipments made of stock from
which the bruised, very large cover
four inches in diameter) and very
small potatoes have not been re-
moved.
1t does not follow that because
buyers are willing to take ungraded
sweet potatoes that it is best to mar
ket them in that manner. 1t would
seem best to grade potatoes In prime,
choice, jumbo and strings. Then II
would always be possible 10 nave d
basis easily understandable for trad
ing. 1t is suggested that sweet pota-
toes of the prime grade only be ship
ped to markets out of the state.
United States Grade No. 1 shall
consist of sound sweet potatoes or
similar Vdrl6Cdl w II4Sl
are practically free from dirt or
other foreign matter, frost injury,
decay, bruises, cuts. scars. cracks
and, damage caused by heat, disease,
insects (including weevils), or mech
anical or other means.
The diamerter of each sweet pota-
to shall not be less than one and
three-quarter inches nor more than
three and one-half inches, and the
length shall not be less than four
inches nor more than ten inches; but
the length may be less than four
one-quarter inches or more.
In order to allow for viratlons in
cident to commercial grading and
handling, five per cent. by weight: Of
any lot may not meet the require
ments al to diameter and length, and,
in addition, six per cent by weight
raay be below the remaining require
ments of the grade.
Any lot in which the diameter is
not less than one and one-half inches
and which contains a greater per-
centage by weight of sweet potatoes
below one and three-quarters inches
than is permitted in United States
Grade No. 1, but which otherwise
meets the requirements of such grade
shall be designated as United States
Grade No. 1, Medium.
Any lot in which the length is
not less than six inches nor more
than twelve inches and which con-
tains a greater percentage by weight
of sweet potatoes above ten inches
in length than is permitted in United
States Grade No. 1, but which other
wise meets the requirements of such
grade, shall be designated as United
States Grade No. Long,
United States Grade Mo. 2 shall
consist of sound sweet potatoes of
similar varietal characteristic not
meeting the requirements of the fore
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