The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-11-02
POTATO GRADING
DECLARED NECESSITY
(By Gordon G. Brown

Owing to the fact that this is a year
when there is very large potato crop
| in the United States, and competition
for sales will be keen, it is necessary
to sort and grade potaotes according to
definite standards. Reports show that
there is q slight increase in tonnage in
Oregon, with a very pronounced in
crease in Idaho, a good crop in Califor-
MIA, a fair one in Washington, making
surplus IN this state. Below are
given United States grades for pota-
toes recommended by the United
States Department of Agriculture,
effective July l, 1922.
Standard grades for potatoes were
recommended by the United States
Department of Agriculture and the
United States Food Administration
September l. 1917. These grades were
made mandatory by the Food Admin
istration for its licenses from January
81, 1918, to December l, 1918. The re-
suits obtained were so satisfactory
that the use of the grades, to a large
extent, was continued voluntarily. and
they are now used almost universally
by the trade. Many states have estab-
lished them as their official standards. 4
The widespread use of the standards
has developed the need for certain
notifications to make them more prac-
ticable. A few changes were recon-
mended February /. 1919, and it now
appears advisable to make further
slight revisions in the grades.
These last revisions provide for the
elimination of potatoes affected by hol-
low heart from the u. S. Fancy No. |
and u. S. No. / grades and the elimin-
alton of badly misshapen potatoes
from u. S. No. /. There is also added |
a grade known as U. S. No. Small.
1t is not expected that any one crop
of potatoes will be sorted into four |
grades nor would such a practice be |
desirable. A large percentage of the |
commercial crop in most of the potato
producing sections of the country nor
mally meets the requirement of u. S. |
No. l, and this grade will provide for
most of the trade demands. Potatoes |
of better than average quality can be
carefully graded and sold as U. s. |
Fancy No. /, while stock of No. l |
quality but ranging from IA to IL
inches in diameter may be classified |
as u. S. No. Small.
Observations made in the producing
sections show that there is tendency
to regard sizing as the only essential
to proper grading. 1t should be en-
phasized that, in addition to proper siz-
ing by hand or machine, the defective
stock, when present, must be removed
in order to meet the grade require.
ments.
U. S. No. l shall consist of potatoes
of similar varietal characteristics
which are not badly misshapen, which
are free from freezing injury and soft
rot, and from damage caused by dirt or
other foreign 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 be not less than II inch
es and OF potatoes of long varieties IL
inches.
In order to allow for variations incl
dent to proper grading and handling,
not more than five per cent, by weight,
of anyElot may be below the prescribed
size. and, in addition, not more than
six. per cent, by weight. may be below
the remaining requirements of this
grade, but not to exceedsone-third of
this six per cent tolerance shall be al
lowed for potatoes affected by soft rot.
u. S. No. ] Small shall consist of
potatoes ranging in size from II inches
to IL inches in diameter but meeting
all the other requirements of U. S.
No. l.
In order to allow for variations incl
dent to proper grading and handling
not more than 25 per cent, by weight,
of any lot may vary from the pre-
scribed size, but not to exceed one
fifth of this tolerance shall be allowed
for potatoes under II inches in diam
eter. In addition not more than six
per cent by weight, may be below the
remaining requirements of this grade,
but not TO exceed one-third of this six
per cent tolerance shall be allowed for
potatoes affected by soft rot.
u. S. No. shall consist of potatoes
Of similar varietal characteristics
which are free from freezing injury
and soft rot and from serious damage
caused by sunburn, cuts, scab. blight,
dry rot, disease, insects. or mechanical
Dr. other means.
The diameter of potatoes of this
grade shall be not less than II inches
In order to allow for variations incl
lent to proper grading and handling,
not more than five per cent, by weight,
IF any lot may be below the prescribed
size, and, in addition. not more than
i've per cent, by weight, may be below
he remaining requirements of this
grade but not to exceed one-third of
his six per cent tolerance shall be al
owed for potatoes affected by soft rot
u. S. Fancy No. / shall consist of
potatoes of one variety which are ma
ure. bright, we'll shaped. free from
'reezing injury. soft rot, dirt, or other
'oreign matter, sunburn, second
growth, growth cracks, hollow-heart,
uts, scab, blight, dry rot, disease, in
ect or mechanical injury, andsother
efeets. The range in size shall be
tated in terms Of minimum and maxi
mum diameters or weight following
he grade name, but in no case shall
he diameter be less than two inches.
In order to allow for variations incl
ent to proper grading and handling. {
lot more than five per cent by weight,
f any lot may vary from the range
md size stated and, in addition, not
nore than six per cent, by weight, of
ny lot may be below the remaining
of this grade, but not to
xceed One-third Of this six per cent
olerance shall be allowed for potatoes
ffected by soft rot.