The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-01-17
POTATO GRADING; OUT
STAND FACTS FROM IDAHO
BY H. A. LYON, Director Bureau of
Markets

Markets
In considering the benefits to be
| derived from compulsory potato
grading it must be remembered that
the products of the farm have always
| been graded-by some one. In
times past it has been done by the
buyer-a much interested party. But
the tendency of the times is to have
the grading done by disinterested
party who can give an official certi-
ficate. Honesty is the best policy
is becoming a prominent motto in
the buying and selling of products of
the farm. If you wish permanent
and successful agriculture, If you
wish stability in your potato industry
the establishment of official grades
and grading is the first and most i'm
portant step to be taken.
Nothing advertises state better
than quality in farm products. Idaho
baked potatoes on trains and in our
best hotels are source of pride to
travellers from our state and give
better advertisement to our potato
industry than money could buy.
Eastern concerns are building up
an excellent trade in Idaho bakers,
which are wrapped and packed in
boxes of from 40 to 70 per box.
Grades and grading, by advertise
ment of quality, stimulate the de-
mand. Consumers want value re-
ceived for their expenditure and the
community or state which gives real
value will get increased business. All
of these specific benefits tend to sta
bilize the industry and bring greater
returns to the farmer, which is the
prime object of grades and grading.
All the benefits can not be meas
ured in additional dollars to the pro-
ducer the first year of operation, for
it may be several years before the
maximum return will be forthcom-
ing.
When standard is established
only part of the battle is won, for
the enforcement of these standards
properly is real task. This, of
couse, is evident to any one. How
ever, the human element must be
considered-men do not see things
alike. 1t is disastrous if all inspec-
tors are not grading alike and care
full and expert supervision is es-
sential.
l am firmly convinced that after
it has been deemed best to adopt
state standard for a commodity that
it should be compulsory that all car
lot shipments of that product be in
spected by an official.
In Idaho we believe in supporting
our inspection service by the fee
system, which is a direct tax upon
those benefited. Some near-sighted
shippers refuse inspections to save
the fee, while they are receiving the
benefit of the education of producers
in preparing their product for mar
ket and the benefit of the advertise
ment which comes to the community
or state which sells a product true
to name and standard.
Oar inspectors win their way with
the people by giving service rather
than functioning merely as police
men. They go into the fields when
potato digging begins and show the
individual farmer what he must do
if his potatoes are to carry No. l
certificate. They frequently visit
fruit packing houses, giving the sug-
gestions necessary to prevent the ex-
pense of repacking because the box
branded Extra Fancy" does not
contain extra fancy apples.
In 1919 Idaho potatoes were
superior in practically all markets
Of the country and that our apples
sold at practically the same price as
those from Yakima and Wenatchee,
which was never true before the in
spection Of farm products was in
augurated.
Experience has taught us that the
certificate we have been using is in
adequate and that we will soon be
issuing inspection certificates includ-
ing most of the information included
on both government and railroad
certificates. We hope for a little
closer cooperation with the federal
inspection service in the markets;
that is, we hope to have a copy of
every inspection they have made of
a car originating in our state, that
we, in turn, may trace any trouble
to it's origin and check the work of
our own men.--Idaho Farmer.