toes. There appeared to be some opposition to grading even up to the 

 U. S. Standards. This may be due in part to lack of outlets for culls and 

 in part because some market will accept their product. The price differ- 

 ential between a carefully graded product and others has not always been 

 sufficiently distinct to offer a permanent reward or margin for increased 

 attention to grades. Established trade outlets for larger growers are un- 

 doubtedly based upon quality guarantees over and above the standard 

 grades, which offer sufficient incentives for accurate grading. 



The economic advantages of dividing a product into grades must be 

 apparent either in current or expected income before accurate grading 

 can be adopted or justifiably enforced. This is a problem for agricultural 

 extension education. 



The sorting table is an accepted means to facilitate accurate grading 

 and to reduce the time involved. The results of a sample survey showing 

 the relation of ownership of a sorting table to size of potato acreage is 

 designated on Table 12. 



Table 12. Ownership of Sorting Table and Acreage from Sample of Grov/ers 



in New Hampshire, 1949. 



Number Percent with 



Acreage interviewed sorting table 



20+ 14 85.8 



10 - 19.9 9 88.9 



5-9.9 9 77.8 



3-4.9 8 62.5 



Under 3 35 25.8 



The proportion of the growers who have sorting tables appears to de- 

 cline with the acreage. If a sorting table is associated with good grading 

 then the observation that the poorer graded potatoes are sold by small 

 growers is strengthened. 



Many such growers have limited outlets based on joint sales — for 

 example, squash and potatoes. The dealer will take the potatoes only be- 

 cause he needs the squash. Again, the storekeeper may so value the 

 glower's business that he will accept his potatoes in partial payment of 

 debts. Potatoes which are thus acquired may or may not be graded 

 further by the storekeeper. But the fact remains that during the potato- 

 digging season the market is flooded with such potatoes. Therefore many 

 of the larger growers prefer to hold back supplies until the poorer grades 

 have disappeared, even though the effect on consumer acceptance may not 

 have disappeared. This necessitates the possession of storage capacity 

 and leads to the question of storage and the evening out of market supplies 

 through the year. 



STORAGE AND MARKET SUPPLIES 



If the potato crop is marketed at the time of digging, a fall in prices 

 can be expected, assuming that there is no government support. The trade 

 must look elsewhere for supplies during the remainder of the year. 



22 



