The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-09-26
SHOULD GRADE
POTATOES. FOR
BEST RETURNS
Strict Grading Must Be I'm.
dertaken If Good Price Is
To BE Obtained
TO BE OvERSUPPLlED
If Ten Per Cent We're Graded
Out Price Would Raise
Accordingly

Fargo, N. D., Sept. 26--Strict grad
ing of potatoes is essential to secure
the best prices for the North Dakota
crop this fall, is the warning of DR..
A. H. Benton of the marketing de-
partment at the North Dakota Agri-
cultural college.
shipping of low grade potatoes
to the marketing centers results in
considerable loss to the producer who
has to pay the freight on the poor
potatoes as we'll as the good ones,
and then is. apt to receive a gross
return smaller than would have been
the return if he had kept the poor
potatoes on the farm and shipped
only the good Ones" declares DR..
Benton. FLOODING the market with
low grade tubers also spells the
market for those who snip product
which will grade u. S. No. 1. The
last federal estimate placed the crop
of the country at 800 million bushels,
while the normal consumption is
about 1856 million bushels. II the
growers graded out an average of 10
per cent of their potatoes, the sup
ply would be reduced to figure that
would insure a profitable price.
"A recent Chicago market report
showed Early Ohios selling at from
$1.10 to $1.6O, depending upon how
we'll the shipments had been graded.
With a freight rate of about so cents
per hundred to Chicago from Red
River valley points, this leaves q
net price to the shipper of high
grade tubers which is nearly double
the price realized for the low grade
shipments"
The definition of the U. S. No. l
grade of potatoes follows:
~. S. No. l shall consist Of pota>
toes of similar yarietal characteris-
tics which are not badly misshapen,
which are free from freezing injury
and soft rot, and from damage
caused by dirt or other foreign mat
ter, sunburn, second growth, growth
cracks, hollow-heart, cuts, ~scabs,
blight, dry rot, disease, insects or
mechanical or other means.
"The diameter of potatoes of round
varieties shall be not less than 1873
inches and of potatoes of long vari-
cites "a inches. 4Ffs
"In order to allow for variations
incident to proper grading and hand
ling, not more than 5 per cent, by
weight, or any lot may be below the
prescribed size, and, 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 be allowed for potatoes affected
by soft rot" ;G
I "'Maturc' means that the outer
skin (epidermis) does not loosen or
feather readily during the ordinary
methods of handling. i.
alright means free from dirt or
other foreign matter, damage or dis
coloration from any cause, so that
the outer skin (epidermis) has the
attractive color normal for the vari-
ETY..
"'Well shaped means the normal,
typical shape for the variety in the
district where grown, and free from
pointed, dumb-bell shaped, excessive
ly elongated and other Informed po-
tatoes.
Diameter means the greatest di-
mension at right angles to the long
itudinal axis.
"'Free from damage means that
the appearance shall not be injured
to an extent readily apparent upon
casual examination of the lot, and
that any damage from the causes
mentioned can be removed in the Or