236 THE POTATO 



sent the grade. If a mechanical sorter is used this 

 work will be more effectively accomphshed than if 

 left to the pickers. 



"The type of grade usually used is similar to 

 that employed in some sections for grading apples 

 and peaches, although the common type of potato 

 grader is a rotary screen which separates the earth 

 from the tubers and allows the small tubers to fall 

 through the large meshes of the screen before 

 reaching the general outlet which carries away 

 those of merchantable size. The objection to a 

 mechanical grader of this type is that it bruises 

 the immature tubers and renders them somewhat 

 less attractive than when not so handled and prob- 

 ably also shortens the length of time they can be 

 safely held on the market." 



