Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-09-06
CLOSER GRADING
WILL RESULT IN
BETTER PRICES
PdoAto Growers Told How to Avoid
Loss in Handling Districts

The purpose OF the meeting was to
discuss the grading of potatoes for
the market this season. Due to the
large surplus of potatoes this year
the different grades call for better
potato than formerly. +. n
The growers also passed a recon-
mendatiOn on the price of picking
potatoes per basket. It was the opin-
ion expressed that where the field
yielded 200 bushels the pickers should
receive cents per basket, where they
yielded $50 bushels SIC; 100 bushels
or less, 4 c. In each case the laborer
to furnish his own meals, unless the
grower desires differently. This sched-
ule would necessarily be changed
where pickers work by the day or
where they stay on the farm contin-
ually, but the above will be a basis
on which all growers can work.
Following up the meeting Friday
night the state department Of agri-
culture held grading school in this
city on Tuesday, for the benefit OF
northwestern Minnesota growers. Re-
representatives. from Kittson, Roseau,
Marshall, Pennington and Red Lake
counties were present.
Importance of Grading
e. w. Smith, representing the ex-
tension division of the University Of
Minnesota, opened the program by
telling the Importance this year Of
grading potatoes very closely, stating
that any grower shipping inferior po-
tatoes will only have to pay bill
for the freight. According to the
closest estimate there is large sur
plus Of potatoes in the Northwest this
year. This will make it necessary to
ship only U. s. No. 1. These, accord
ing to Mr.. Smith, must consist Of
potatoes of similar varietal character
istics which are not badly misshapen,
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, scabs, blight, dry rot, disease.
insect or mechanical injury. ;:
The diameter of potatoes of round
varieties shall be not less than rs
inches and of potatoes Of long var
ieties IN inches. .a--
In order to allow for variations in
cident to proper grading and handling.
not more than 5 per cent by weight
of any lot may be below the pre-
scribed size, and in addition not more
than per cent by weight may be
below the remaining requirements Of
this grade, but not to exceed one-third
of this 6 per cent tolerance: shall be
allowed for potatoes affected by soft
rot.
U: S. No. Small. J.;
U. s. No. / Small shall consist Of
%~%o IN, ,Srx ~
inches to rs inches in diameter but
meeting all the other requirements of
u. S. No. L.
In order to allow for variations in
ncident 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 the potatoes under ~ inches in
diameter. In addition not more than
6 per cent by weight may be below
the remaining requirements Of this
grade, but not to exceed One-third Of
this per cent tolerance shall he al
lowed for potatoes affected by soft
rot.
No. l Grade Requirements =
This grade must consist of potatoes
of one variety which are mature,
bright, well shaped, free from freezing
injury, soft rot, dirt or other foreign
matter, sunburn, second growth,
growth cracks, hollow-heart, cuts,
scabs, blight, dry rot, disease, insect
or mechanical injury and other de-
fects. The range in size shall be stat
ed in terms of minimum and maximum
diameters or weight following the
grade name, but in no case shall the
diameter be, less than inches.
In order to allow for variations in
cident to proper grading .and handling,
not more than 5 per cent, by weight
of any lot may vary from the range
and size stated and, in addition, not
more than 6 per cent by weight OF
any lot may be below the remaining
requirements Of this grade, but not to
exceed one-third of this 6 per cen!
tolerance shall be allowed for potatoes
affected by soft rot. il. sz
r. F.. Hall, chief inspector Of the
department Of agriculture, was next
on the program, emphasizing Mr.
Smiths statements in regard to tht
grading and giving the feeding value
of the poor potato, rather than ship
ping them down to the southern mar
Kets where some Of them could never
be sold and a large freight bill woult
have to be paid, regardless Of th,
grade. Mr.. Hall explained the worl
of the department Of agriculture il
having state inspection. He claimed
that the inspection would stand III al
courts Of the, United States, citin,
several instances where the purchase
had to live up to the grade deliyeret
him. The state department would, i
necessary, place state inspector ii
Thief River Falls, as the number 8
Z cars shipped from this place woul,
pay the expenses Of having such III
spection.
At the close Of Mr.. Halls talk til
following resolution was adopted i
Resolved That it be the consensus 8
4 opinion, that all present, grade pota
4 toes shipped strictly up to u. s. Nc
q standard, In order to- insure til
same prestige for the potato shipper
that the American Fruit Growers K
ceive for their product by marketin