The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-22
Growers Are Advised To Keep
Close Eye On Northern
Market Conditions
GUY A. CARDWELL
General Agricultural Agent
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.

Growers and shippers of fruits and
vegetables, located in the Carolinas,
should keep posted as to conditions
in northern markets, and be on the
alert to cater to the needs of the
trade and to the desires and Whims
of ali classes of buyers.
Progress has been made in grad
ing and packing, but there is plenty
of room for further improvement.
The fight between producing areas
for favorable place in the big mar
kets' never ceases.
By the term grading" is meant
that operation whereby an effort is
made to group together fruits or
vegetables of the same variety that
most nearly resemble each other as
to shape, size, color, %ripeness and
quality. There are several reasons
why grading is such an important
step in successful marketing.
Graded produce has a much more
attractive appearance than a mis-
cellaneous collection. The appeal
through the eye largely determines
whether or not a sale is made and
also governs to a large extent the
price offered. 1t is especially i'm
p~ortant that southern vegetables be
carefully graded, since the climate
and soil conditions under which
they are grown are conductive to
the planting of numerous strains
and varieties. In many cases crops
have been So poorly trimmed and
washed that these operations have
had to be repeated before sales to
retail stores are attempted, and all
this expense is charged back to the
producer. The necessity of estab-
fishing and maintaining a reputa-
ton for high-erade produce should
not be overlooked.
Grades that are fully standardized
and enjoyed a good reputation pro-
vide a basis upon which buying and
selling can be done by wire. This
facilitates the better distribution of
goods, since inspection is not neces-
sary. Many cars of graded produce
are sold by telephone or telegram
while they are rolling.
Certain markets require No. l
while others take only second or
third grade produce. Grading makes
it possible to supply such demands.
Ungraded produce not only brings
a low price in competition with
graded goods, but frequently de-
moralizes an otherwise stable mar
ket. Careful grading prevents the
expense of packing and shipping in
ferior produce which serves only to
glut the market.
Grading provides a basis for ship
ping point inspection.
There are two possible classical
tions in considering the methods of
grading and packing: Q) the place
of grading, i. e., whether in the field
or packing house; (2) the height of
the pack. i. e.. whether flat OF
bulge.
Most Of the cabbage, beans, let
tuce, beets, carrots and potatoes
shipped out of the south are field
and packed. These vege-
tables cannot be graded properly by
the laborer in the field but should
be graded in a packing house by
labor. There is a decided pre-
ference shown on the markets for
we'll trimmed and washed veSe-
In recent years especially
machinery has beenn,design-
ed to wash such crops as celery
potatoes, beets and carrots.
The packing shed need not be an
expensive structure and the equip
ment is simple. Plenty of light and
ventilation, provision for the easy
and rapid movement of the produce
through the house and plenty Of
grading bins are the chief require
Space for the storage and
assembling of containers may be
made a part of such a structure.
supervision of the grading
and packing is, of course, essential,
but even this is not necessarily a
costly service and with proper a T
the entire packing costs can be kept
very low.
IMPORTANT WORK