Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-30
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
ANDREW NJ SOULE
Grading Irish Potatoes for Market

Grading Irish Potatoes for Market
Some years ago congress estab
lished the bureau Of market arc
crop estimates in the United States
department of agriculture. Among
the functions assigned to this bu
reau was that of establishing stand
ard grades for our farm crops. J:
has been a difficult matter to make
these up for many reasons, but a
great deal of progress has beer
made in spite Of the difficulties
which have had to be met and over
con e. Naturally, our farmers are
interested in what has been accom-
plfshed along this line. 1t is useless
to- produce a crop which does no.
meet the requirements of the stand'
ards set up. If Irish potatoes other
than those which comply with the
regulations suggested below are ship
ped, to market, they can only be SOLO
atua discount This discount may BE-
so5xgreat as a matter of fact that
the potatoes will net the grower
loss rather than a profit. Difficult
ties Of this character can be over.
come by those who contemplate
growing this crop in the future by
giving attention to the standards
which have been established. There
is no reason why we should no.
be able to grow and market Irish
potatoes that fully meet the stand
ard requirements. In that event, we
can expand this industry in Geor-
giao at a good profit to our grow.
ers.-.
The following revised grades for
white potatoes are annouced by the
United States department Of agri-
culture to supersede those recon-
mended February 10, 1919 and pub
lshed in department circular sc I'm.
der date of May, 1920. The new
grades went into effect July 1,
1922.
= Z. S. No.
Z. s. No. 1 shall consist Of pota-
toes Of similar varietal character
isties which are not badly misshap-
en,aiwhich are free from freezing
injury and soft rot and from dam
agA caused ly dirt or other foreig7
matter, sunburn, second growth,
growth cracks, hollow heart, cuts,
scab, blight, dry rot, disease, in
sects, or mechanical or other means.
The diameter Of potatoes of round
varieties shall not be less than 1 rs
inches, and of potatoes Of long va
rieties 1 "a inches.
In order to allow for variations in
cident to proper grading and han
ding, not more than per cent by
weight, of any lot may be below the
prescribed size, and, in addition, not
MORE than 6 per cent, by weight,
may be below the remaining require
ments of this grade but not to ex-
coed ene-third of this per cent toll
erance shall be allowed for potatoes
affected by soft rot.
u. S. No. Small
U. S. No. 1 small shall consist of
potatoes ranging in size from 1 IL
inches to rs inches in diameter but
meeting all the other requirements of
u Ss>No. 1.
in order to allow for variations in
cident to proper grading and han
ding not more than 25 per cent, by
weight, of any lot may vary from
the prescribed size, but not to ex-
ceed one-fifth of this tolerance shall
be allowed for potatoes under 1 IL
inches in diameter. In addition not
more than 6 per cent, by weight,
may be below the remaining require
ments of this grade, but not to ex-
coed one-third Of this per cent toll
erance shall be allowed for potatoes
affected by soft rot.
- Z. S. No. 2
us. No. shall consist of potatoes
of Similar varietal characteristics
which are free from freezing injury
and, soft rot and from serious dam
age caused by sunburn, cuts, scab,
blight, dry rot, disease, insects or
mechanical or other means.
The diameter OF potatoes Of THE
grade shall be not less tilaS / IL
inches.
In order to allow for variations in
cident to proper grading and han.
ding, not more than 5 per cent, by
weight, IF any lot may be below the
prescribed size, and. in addition, not
more than per cent, by weight,
may be below the remaining require.
ments of this grade but not to ex.
cesd, one-third Of this per cent toll
erahce shall be allowed for potatoes
affected by soft rot.
U. s. Fancy No. 1
Z. S. Fancy No. shall consist Of
potatoes of one variety which are
mature, bright, we'll shaped, free
from freezing injury, soft rot, dirt or
other foreign matter, sunburn, sec
ond growth, growth cracks, hollow
heart, cuts, scab, blight, dry rot, dis
ease, insects or mechanical injury
and other defects. The range in size
shall be stated in terms of minimum
and maximum diameters or weight
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Clemson Agricultural College
Extension Circular No. 80 Says: